Agenda Item
a. Approval of the FY2026 Carl Perkins V Improvement Grant for Career Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) (Not to exceed $1,267,752)
Summary: Presented by: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the 2026 Carl Perkins V Improvement Grant application in the amount of $1,267,752 that provides funding to improve Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs throughout the DeKalb County School District.
Why: Carl Perkins V federal funds are for implementing new or improving existing Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) initiatives. Approval of the Perkins Grant application is vital for the DeKalb County School District to provide high-quality CTAE programs throughout the school district.
Details: The following are CTAE improvement strategies to enhance instruction during the 2025-2026 school year.
Mandated Grant Activities
Strengthen academic and technical skills of students in career pathways.
Provide Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities for students
Make available student industry credentials and certifications as well as employer connections
Provide professional development for teachers, counselors, and administrators
Initiate, improve, and expand CTAE programs and pathways
Provide career pathway services and activities
Coordinate postsecondary transition
Serve special populations with career pathway instruction
Evaluate CTAE programs and pathways using the following core indicators
*(See DeKalb’s performance levels below)
Perkins Core Indicators
2024 District Performance Rate
State Determined Target Performance Rate
1S1 - Four-Year Graduation Cohort Rate
97%
91%
1S2 - Extended Graduation Rate
95%
95%
2S1 - Academic Proficiency - Reading/Language Arts
71%
71%
2S2 - Academic Proficiency - Mathematics
47%
71%
2S3 - Academic Proficiency - Science
59%
71%
3S1 - Post-Program Placement
95%
95%
4S1 - Nontraditional Program Concentration
17%
7%
5S3 - Participation in Work-Based Learning
33%
31%
5S4 - CTAE Pathway Completion
44%
36%
5S5 - Credentials of Value
54%
53%
Financial impact: The Perkins V Grant will be available upon Board approval to improve CTAE instruction within the DeKalb County School District. The grant allocation for 2025-2026 is $1,267,752. The Perkins V Grant requires matching funds from the local district.
School Year
Allocation Amounts
2022-2023 (FY23)
$1,437,254
2023-2024 (FY24)
$1,390,462
2024-2025 (FY25)
$1,362,329
2025-2026 (FY26)
$1,267,752 (awarded)
Charge Code: 406.1000.445200.38321.7940.3324.8010.035.2024
Contact: Ms. Stacy E. Stepney, Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0731,
Dr. Sean R. Tartt, Deputy Chief Academic Officer, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731,
Dr. Rose Prejean-Harris, Assistant Superintendent (6-12), Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678-676-0731,
Mrs. Doryiane Gunter, Director, CTAE & STEM/STEAM Programs, Division of Curriculum & Instruction, 678.676.0451
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
Board Agenda Item Title: FY2026 Carl Perkins V Improvement Grant
for Career Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) in the amount
of $1,267,752
Background/Details
Carl Perkins V federal funds are for implementing new or improving
existing Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) initiatives.
Approval of the Perkins Grant application is vital for the DeKalb County
School District to provide high-quality CTAE programs throughout the
district. The grant funds assist in developing strategies that will improve
student academic achievement and career readiness. These strategies
also impact each school’s College and Career Readiness Performance
Index (CCRPI) scores.
Grant Activities
1. Strengthen academic and technical skills of students in career pathways
2. Provide Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities for students
3. Make available student industry credentials and certifications as well
as employer connections
4. Provide professional development for teachers, counselors, and
administrators
5. Initiate, improve, and expand CTAE programs and pathways
6. Provide career pathway services and activities
7. Coordinate postsecondary transition
8. Serve special populations with career pathway instruction
9. Evaluate CTAE programs and pathways using the following core
indicators
Financial Impact:
The grant allocation for 2025-2026 is $1,267,752. The Perkins V Grant
requires matching funds from the local district.
School Year Allocation Amounts
2022-2023 (FY23) $1,437,254
2023-2024 (FY24) $1,390,462
2024-2025 (FY25) $1,362,329
2025-2026 (FY26) $1,267,752 (awarded)