The 1998 Perkins Act provided a five-year funding authorization running from 1998-2003, which covered program years July 1, 1999, through June 30, 2004. Pending reauthorization, the Act has been extended, and is expected to be rewritten in 2006.

Both the state basic grant and Title II-Tech Prep Education are funded at “such sums as necessary,” leaving the decision on funding each year to the appropriation committees. The 1998 Perkins Act makes a few significant changes to the Tech Prep program. The program content requirements were rewritten to include work-based and work-site learning in conjunction with business, and uses of technology and distance learning, as appropriate, to involve all consortium partners in the program.

Most significantly, Tech Prep was expanded to allow “at least” two years of secondary and two years of post-secondary education. In other words, a Tech Prep program may start in the ninth grade and extend to a four-year college program, if appropriate. The new provisions also allow students to enroll concurrently in secondary and postsecondary coursework. Each program must meet academic standards developed by the state, and must have a common core of required proficiency in math, science, reading, writing, communications, and technologies. Tech Prep is a positive step toward achieving many of the goals in Florida’s System of Education Reform and Accountability.

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