Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act (Passed!)

Summary: The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act

(Perkins) provides federal assistance for secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs at the high school level and at technical postsecondary and community colleges. A series of bills intended for this same purpose date as far back as 1917, but Perkins was originally passed in 1984 and most recently reauthorized in 1998. Reauthorization status:

· House - The Vocational and Technical Education for the Future Act (H.R. 366) was passed by the House on May 4 (416-9).

· Senate - The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2005 (S.250) was passed by the Senate on March 10 (99-0). Passed conference committee; signed by President Bush on August 12.