To All:

On July 1, 2011, the federal Carl D. Perkins grant will be reduced by $138 million. Of this amount, $102.9 million comes from the elimination of Title II funds (Tech Prep), and the balance from Perkins Basic Grant dollars. Washington's share of this reduction will be $2,036,850 (the elimination of Tech Prep) plus $424,381 from the Perkins Basic Grant funds.

These funding cuts, coupled with state budget reductions, will have major impacts on our secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs. Most significant will be the loss of funds used to support our state's 22 Tech Prep consortia. While the elimination of this program will be felt most by the Tech Prep directors and their staff, the ripple effect will touch all of our high school and college Tech Prep programs.

On May 18, 2011, staff from our three agencies met to develop short-term and long-term strategies, in light of these changes. In the next few months there will be some activities that must be accomplished in spite of the funding cuts:

• Posting of student grades in secondary Tech Prep courses (This must be completed no later than July 29, 2011.)
• Transcription of credits for 2010-11 Tech Prep students must be completed by September 16, 2011.
• Evaluation of articulation agreements.
• Revision of local Perkins plans, including budget revisions.

The State Board will continue to maintain their Student Enrollment Records System (SERS) to provide a resource for articulation and enrollment options for articulated dual credit programs.  Also, the three agencies will recommend that the Programs of Study policy be revised to require articulated dual credit for all approved Programs of Study.

Staff will draft a white paper for presentation at the June 16, 2011 Workforce Board meeting. This paper will outline strategies that the state proposes to ensure that future Programs of Study include a cluster/sector approach, using statewide articulation models (based on successful and promising practices) focused on high employer demand occupations, and will provide a simplified users' guide for meeting state articulation requirements. 

Local secondary and postsecondary representatives will be called upon in the coming months to participate in workgroups to assist in the design and development of these statewide Programs of Study. There are excellent models in place which will provide strong foundations as we move forward.

Thank you for all the work and dedication in providing quality career and technical education programs throughout the state. Should you have questions, please contact your state agency representative.