CA FCCLA Membership Incentive Grant

Perkins IV
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006
FACT SHEET

Use of Funds for Career Technical Student Organizations
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 (Perkins IV) permits the use of Title I, Basic Grant Funds, to support career technical student organizations (CTSOs) and related activities. Funds used for appropriate CTSO activities must follow the established guidelines for use of Title I- Part C funds.

Perkins IV defines CTSOs as “an organization of individuals enrolled in a career and technical education (CTE) program that engages in career and technical activities as an integral part of the instructional program.” Integral to the CTE program, means that the leadership materials, curriculum, and training are for all students in each CTE pathway for the appropriate CTSO. All students have graded activities or work that is related to the CTE pathway, leadership and CTSO. CTSOs are not for competition purposes only, they are to integrate leadership development, training, and opportunities for all students in the various CTE pathways.

The state holds the state level charter for each CTSO recognized in California and local chapters are at each district and/or high school site. In California, the state supported CTSOs include: California Affiliate of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (formerly FHA-HERO); California Distributive Education Club of America; Future Business Leaders of America; Future Farmers of America; Health Occupations Students of America; and SkillsUSA California. All of these organizations offer students the opportunity to serve as local, state, and national officers, and some have regional officer opportunities.   

Outlined below are the criteria for expenditure of Perkins IV funds for CTSOs by general areas of expenditures of funds, as well as examples of both allowable and non-allowable expenditures.

1.    Qualifying Criteria for the Expenditure of Funds:

• Title I-Part C funds may only be expended in instructional programs identified for improvement in the application/plan for Perkins IV funds.
• The CTSO must be an integral part of the instructional program and must be taught by an appropriately credentialed CTE teacher.
• “Integral to the CTE program” means that the leadership materials, curriculum, and training are for all students in each CTE pathway for the appropriate CTSO. All Students have graded activities or work that is related to the CTE pathway, leadership and CTSO. There is in-class time for CTSO meetings and Program of Work development by the students.
• After school and weekends are extra–not considered “integral to the curriculum.” It has to be included in the normal school hours. This may need to occur, but is not the only or sole time that the students work on CTSOs and leadership development components
• All expenditures must be for the purpose of improving and expanding career and technical instruction and meet the guidelines for the use of funds.

2.    General Areas Where Funds May Be Expended:

• CTSO supplies and materials for student use
• CTSO activities
• CTSO advisor expenses
• CTSO curriculum resources
• CTSO affiliation fees

3.    Examples of Allowable Expenditures:

• Student in-state transportation and registration for conference expenses only
• CTSO advisor travel (both in-state and out-of-state), lodging, conference registration, and per diem while supervising students participating in approved CTSO activities
• CTSO advisor stipends for extra time put in to attending conferences in-state and out of state, per the district’s policy on stipends
• Instructional supplies and materials, such as chapter handbooks, leadership development materials, and official recordkeeping handbooks
• Equipment that is appropriate to the CTSO program and that benefits all students in a class/program
• In-State multiple student registration and transportation costs to represent the school and/or CTSO chapter (no single student registration and/or transportation costs)

4.    Examples of Non-allowable Expenditures:

• The portion of a student’s conference registration fees used for food, lodging, awards, social assemblages, and recreation
• Student food and/or lodging expenses
• Single student registration and transportation expenses for conferences, trainings, or workshops
• Student out-of-state travel
• Any item which becomes the personal property of a student or advisor such as a jacket, uniform, briefcase, awards, certificates, or pins
• Cost of a social activity or assemblage, such as a dance, dinner, etc.
• Competition fees if not included as part of a leadership conference

The California Department of Education continues to recognize and support the role and value of CTSOs in providing quality leadership development training for students related to the CTE course/program in which they are enrolled.