Perkins

In the first year of being a CTAE educator I have came to find that Perkins funds have been spent by the wrong parties in my county. I was under the impression that Perkins funds were allotted to schools that have students participating in the CTAE pathways. I had no clue that each student that is in my program represents a certain dollar amount up to a give amount per class. That amount is to be used in the CTAE pathway that the student registered, not by the school as it sees fit for other uses. Its no wonder I hadn't had food to cook with in labs. Looking at all of the detailed documentation that is required I have no idea how they have managed to get away with such poor spending. Last year we got a new cte person at the county level and he stopped all spending of Perkins funds at the school level. All purchases had to meet his approval. I didn't get it then but I do now. This just stuck out in my mind because we encountered a drastic change in spending between my first two years and now things are much clearer for me. Given our tight budgets we cant afford to have one dollar misspent

We have a unique responsibility as CTAE and CTSO advisers. Its our responsibility to know how the Perkins Legislation works so that we can get the most of what we are being given. Our programs need this legislation. I think we're all better advocates for or programs and Perkins given our new knowledge.