One of the most significant changes in Perkins V is the new requirement for local eligible recipients to conduct a comprehensive local needs assessment and update it at least every two years.
To help local CTE leaders conduct a needs assessment that is a valuable tool for program improvement and spending decisions, without undue burden, ACTE has published Maximizing Perkins V’s Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment & Local Application to Drive CTE Program Quality and Equity: A Guide for Local Leaders.
This brief describes the foundations of a rigorous assessment process and translates needs assessment language in Perkins V into meaningful action items, including suggestions on materials to review, stakeholders to consult and questions to ask to further your analysis.
The guide includes links to resources from ACTE and organizations, such as Advance CTE and the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, that can support needs assessment. One of these tools is the ACTE Quality CTE Program of Study Framework Self-evaluation Instrument, which includes nearly 100 criteria across 12 elements of high-quality CTE. This tool can help you evaluate your programs to determine strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement and efficiently and comprehensively fulfill this Perkins V requirement.