TDOE Announces 2024-25 Perkins Reserve Grant Awards Total $2.6M

Funding Supports Innovative CTE Expansion Across Tennessee

Nashville, TN - Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced over $2.6 million in Perkins Reserve Grant (PRG) grant funds have been awarded to 55 school districts for the 2024-25 school year to support Career and Technical Education (CTE) across the state.

The PRG grant awards support the implementation of programs of study aligned with emerging technology in regionally identified high-skill, high-wage, and/or in-demand occupations or industries, implement STEM in all CTE classrooms, and increase supports for special education students. Additionally, the PRG grant opportunity is designed to support districts in rural areas and maintain high CTE student participation rates.

"Career and technical education plays an important role in every student's academic journey," said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. "We look forward to seeing how districts utilize these grant funds to implement STEM curriculum, create career exploration opportunities for elementary and middle school students, and inform students on growing and new careers."

This year's PRG grant award recipients submitted grant applications with action steps to support the department's state plan- Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act - by ensuring alignment to at least one of these focus areas-foundations in elementary and middle grades, careers in emerging areas, and STEM in the CTE classrooms.

The PRG is a competitive grant opportunity made possible through the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) legislation passed in 2018, which provides annual federal funding to support CTE programs nationwide. More information on the Perkins Reserve Grant may be found here.

For Tennessee Department of Education media inquiries, contact [email protected].

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