Carl D. Perkins
Vocational and Technical Education
Act of 1998
An Act That Supports Career and
Technical Education

OPERATIONAL HANDBOOK-4

DEVELOPED :
November 2000

REVISED :
January 2002
November 2002
September 2003
August 2004

DEVELOPED BY:
Minneso ta State Colleges and Universities
Educational G rant Programs
500 Wells Fargo Place
30 East 7 th Street , St. Paul , MN 55101

Questions and suggestions for future changes to this document can be directed to:
Lloyd A. Petri (651) 297-1484 lloyd.petri@so.mnscu.edu

 For Additional Information Visit Our Web Site: http://www.cte.mnscu.edu

Upon request, this Operational Handbook will be made available in alternative formats, such as Braille, large print or audiotape.

TOPICAL AREAS

Section 1 Financial Requirements Page

1.1 Local Application Budget Changes with in Fiscal Year
1.2 Fiscal Year Expenditure Timelines
1.3 Workforce Center Collaborative Expenditures
1.4 Funds for Support Services (Non-Traditional)
1.5 Funds for New Program Development
1.6 Perkins III Indicator Finance Cost Centers
1.7 Using Perkins III Resources to Fund Personnel
1.8 Using Perkins III Resources to Fund Customized Training
1.9 Perkins III 5% Administrative Cost Allowances
1.10 Perkins III Fiscal Requirement --- Supplement not Supplant

Section 2 Accountability Page

2.1 Perkins III Annual Performance Report (APR)
2.2 Perkins III Personnel Activity Reports (PARs)
2.3 Perkins III Data Requirements
2.4 Data Privacy
2.5 Civil Rights Review
2.6 Local Application Required Activities
2.7 Local Application Permissible Activities
2.8 Perkins III Performance Measures and Standards
2.9 Perkins III Four Core Indicators and Fifteen Subindicators
2.10 Retention of Perkins III College Grant Records

Section 3 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) Page

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

APPENDICES

A. Perkins III Institution and Program Eligibility Criteria
B. Perkins III Program Development Grants

SECTION 1 -- FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS top

1.1 Local Application Budget Changes within the Fiscal Year:

Fiscal year budget changes of $10,000.00 or more, among any required or permissive activity area, must be pre-approved by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Office of the Chancellor, Perkins Director. College Perkins Coordinators must receive approval before the expenditure can be made. All budget changes will be recorded as part of the college file.

1.2 Fiscal Year Expenditure Timelines:

Perkins III does NOT allow colleges to carry-over unexpended funds from one fiscal year to the next. All expenditure orders must be completed by May 31 st of the Local Application fiscal year. Attempts should be made to pay all invoices by June 30 th of the Local Application fiscal year or shortly thereafter.

1.3 Workforce Center Collaborative Expenditures:

Post-secondary vocational and technical education programs, assisted under Perkins III, are mandatory partners in the one-stop career center delivery system established by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. While colleges are encouraged to collaborate with their one-stop partners, mandatory Perkins resource expenditures are not required as part of the collaboration. However, as specified in the local application, colleges must report (see Perkins budget summary sheet, area five) all direct and indirect resources that were used in collaborative efforts with Workforce Centers each fiscal year.

1.4 Funds for Support Services (Non-Traditional-Gender):

If a college determines a need to fund support services for non-traditional (gender) students, they must develop local guidelines, within state and federal laws, to provide assistance with dependent care, transportation services, special services, supplies, books, and materials for non-traditional students in vocationally approved programs and/or services. The Federal Office of Vocational and Technical Education (OVAE) has provided the following guidelines:

• Perkins funds cannot be provided to students for purchase of tools, uniforms, equipment, or materials
• Perkins funds cannot be used for student stipends or tuition;
• Child care and transportation may be provided, but not by direct payment to vocational students;
• Colleges shall establish procedures for payments to vendors for child care and transportation costs;
• Costs for public transportation or rates consistent with the cost of public transportation may be allowed only to provide students transportation to attend a vocationally approved education activity;
• In areas where public transportation is not appropriate/available, colleges shall develop equitable options for students by providing vouchers or purchase orders; and
• Perkins funds cannot be used for car parts and/or tune-ups.

1.5 Funds for New Program Development:

Colleges may use Perkins III resources for new program/curriculum development provided that all the following provisions are met:

• Courses are credit based;
• B. An award (certificate, diploma, associate in applied science, or associate in
• science degree) is offered;
• New program(s) have open access to anyone (i.e. not just employees of a specific business); and
• Funds are used for new curriculum and programs, or redesigns that upgrade or improve currently approved awards.

1.6 Perkins III Indicator Finance Cost Centers:

Colleges expending Perkins III resources are required to establish cost centers for each required and permissive activity area . Individual activity cost centers are required in capturing funds and reporting purposes for OVAE. Expenditure by activity area must be reported each year in the college Perkins III Annual Performance Report (APR).

1.7 Using Perkins III Resources to Fund Personnel:

Colleges may not use Perkins III resources to fund instruction within for-credit or customized training courses.

Personnel may be funded via the college's Perkins grant in cases where:

• Personnel are providing service to special populations (as defined by the Federal Perkins Legislation of 1998); and/or
• Personnel are assigned to other functions and/or projects designed to improve vocational and technical education as measured by one or more of the four (4) core indicators and as specified in the colleges currently approved Perkins Local Application Plan.

In all cases the following conditions must be met:

• Job descriptions are written and kept on file for each position prior to the employment individual(s); and
• Personnel Activity Reports (PAR's) are filled out and filed for each employee; and
• Perkins funds are not supplanting state funds; and
• Only that portion of a person's time assigned to Perkins related functions and/or activities are funded via the Perkins Grant.

1.8 Using Perkins III Resources to Fund Customized Training:

Perkins III resources may only be used by colleges for program expenditures relating to students pursuing program completion in any certificate, diploma, associate in applied science, or associate in science degree. Resources are not intended for training students for a specific business need. For example: Perkins funds may not be used for costs related to providing customized training for ABC Corporation.

1.9 Perkins III 5% Administrative Cost Allowances:

Perkins III allows eligible colleges 5% for administrative costs. Administration is defined as "activities necessary for the proper and efficient performance of the eligible agency under this Act, including supervision, but does not include curriculum development activities, personnel development or research activities." The administrative 5% allowance may be used for Perkins Coordinator salaries, associated travel and/or activities related to the college local plan development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement. The administrative 5% allowance cannot be used for general overhead or operation of the college (i.e. costs such as space and related facilities/utilities).

1.10 Perkins III Fiscal Requirement --- Supplement Not Supplant:

Part A, Sec. 311 states that funds made available under Perkins III for vocational and technical education activities shall supplement, and shall not supplant , non-Federal funds expended to carry out vocational and technical education activities.

SECTION 2--ACCOUNTABILITY top

2.1 Annual Performance Report (APR):

Perkins III requires that each college submit an Annual Performance Report (APR) to the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor. The purpose of the APR is to report significant achievements on yearly outcomes as written in each of the required and permissive activity areas of the local application. Levels of achievement must be reported in percentages and numbers. APRs must be sent to the Office of the Chancellor in October of each year. They are then reviewed, compiled, and used to report to the United States Department of Education (USOE).

2.2 Personnel Activity Reports (PARs):

As specified in USOE Circular A-87, all colleges receiving Perkins III resources must maintain Personnel Activity Reports (PARs). PARs must be completed for each Perkins funded staff member and maintained at the college for audit purposes. A Personnel Activity Report form, along with instructions, is included as a part of each local application.

2.3 Perkins III Data Requirements:

The following data is required for use in planning and writing the local application. The first set of data reflects institutional program level data. The second set of data is student record data. Student data should be analyzed at both the program and college level when planning and writing the local application. Eligible colleges are responsible for reporting Perkins III data requirements. All required data elements must exist within ISRS in order to receive Perkins funding.

INSTITUTIONAL LEVEL DATA

1. Eligible Perkins Program name (must list the offical CIP name)
2. Program FYE
3. Program Headcount
4. Program Credit Total

STUDENT RECORD DATA

1. Males
2. Females
3. Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
4. Academic Disadvantaged
5. Economic disadvantaged
6. Displaced Homemaker
7. Single Parent/Single Pregnant Women
8. Disability
9. Native Amerian or Alaskan Native
10. Asian or Pacific Islander
11. African American
12. Hispanic
13. Asian or Pacific Islander
14. Caucasian
15. Unknown
16. # of credits awarded through advanced standing from secondary to postsecondaryCompletion/Award conferred
    Placement (Refer to the most recent placement repors until data is included in ISRS)

2. 4 Data Privacy

Data about students must be handled in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. To the extent that it directly or indirectly identifies an individual, the Student Record Data listed in Section 2.3 is classified as “private educational data.” School officials may use this data for “legitimate educational purposes” and must protect it from improper disclosure.

Much of the listed Student Record Data is information that would be considered to be especially sensitive and personal. When using such data, be careful about who can view your computer screen and how you handle and store paper records. Private educational data may not be re-disclosed unless the student has given prior written consent or the disclosure is otherwise authorized by law. Summary or statistical data that does not identify an individual may be disclosed without consent. Further questions about handling private educational data should be directed to your school’s Data Practices Responsible Authority.

2.5 Office of Civil Rights (OCR) Reviews:

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR), mandates that all higher education institutions, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, conduct on-site reviews for colleges that receive federal vocational education funds. OCR on-site reviews require both review of college information relating to the participation of protected groups and women in vocational education programs. Reviews consist of personal interviews, observations, along with gathering various other forms of documentations. On-site team reviews cover the following Federal laws:

• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, and national origin discrimination);
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (prohibiting sex discrimination);
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (prohibiting disability discrimination);
• Age Discrimination Act of 1975;
• Title 11 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (prohibiting disability discrimination by public entities, including public schools, public colleges and universities, public vocational schools, and public libraries) whether or not they receive Federal financial assistance.

The following Perkins eligible colleges are listed to receive an OCR Review during School Year 2004-2005:

Mesabi Range Community & Technical College October 11-12, 2004
Ridgewater College October 27 – 28, 2004
St. Cloud Technical College January 11-12, 2005
Riverland College No date has been set

2.6 Local Application Required Activities:

Colleges receiving Perkins III funding must specify goals, strategies, and measurable outcomes for each required activity in their local application plan. While it is not mandatory that Perkins resources be spent in each of the required activity areas, colleges will be held responsible for improvement as specified by each outcome target. For federal tracking and reporting purposes, individual college finance cost centers must be established for each required activity area where Perkins III resources are spent.

2.7 Local Application Permissible Activities:

Colleges may expend Perkins III resources in any of the permissible activities. For each funded permissible activity, colleges must specify goals, strategies, and measurable outcomes. For federal tracking and reporting purposes, individual college finance cost centers must be established for each permissible activity where Perkins III resources are spent.

2. 8 Perkins III Performance Measures and Standards:

Perkins III Federal Legislation requires Minnesota to work with the United States Office of Education (USOE), Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) to establish rigorous performance measures and standards for four core performance indicators and establish performance management systems that are fully capable of sustaining and reporting continuous improvement. States must report annually to OVAE on their progress in achieving agreed-upon levels of performance (sec. 113 (C) (1), (2). The US Secretary of Education is required to make these reports available to the public and to Congress and to disseminate "State-by-State comparisons" of performance information (sec. 113 (C) (3)).

2. 9 Perkins III Four Core Indicators and Fifteen Subindicators:

Core Indicator 1. Student Attainment

1S1: Secondary Academic Attainment
1S2: Secondary Vocational and Technical Skill Attainment
1P1: Postsecondary Academic Attainment
1P2: Postsecondary Vocational and Technical Skill Attainment

Core Indicator 2. Credential Attainment

2S1: Secondary Completion
2S2: Proficiency Credential with Secondary Diploma (waived '99-00; required '00-01)
2P1: Postsecondary Degree or Credential

Core Indicator 3. Placement and Retention

3S1: Secondary Placement
3S2: Secondary Retention (deleted)
3P1: Postsecondary Placement
3P2: Postsecondary Retention (waived '99-00; required '00-01)

Core Indicator 4. Participation in and Completion of Non-Traditional Programs

4S1: Participation in Secondary Non-Traditional Programs
4S2: Completion of Secondary Non-Traditional Programs
4P1: Participation in Postsecondary Non-Traditional Programs
4P2: Completion of Postsecondary Non-Traditional Programs

2.10 Retention of Perkins III College Grant Records:

Minn Stat 138.17 subd 7 provides that a government entity that holds data itself propose, and have approved, a record retention schedule in which it specifies how long it intends to keep records. The MnSCU Office of the Chancellor Records Retention Schedule (dated: April 9, 1997 , Item 18) states that federal grants are to be kept "seven (7) years or until audited." Source: Kristine Kaplan, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Assistant General Counsel.

SECTION 3 – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS top

Q: When are Perkins III funds considered obligated?

A: Type of Cost:	Obligation Occurs:
Equipment & Supplies	Date of Purchase Order
Work of Employees	When Work is Done
Contracted Services	Date of Written Agreement
Travel	When Travel is Taken

(If travel overlaps a fiscal year, the expenses of the trip must be split between the two years based on the date the expenses were incurred.)

Q: What types of costs can generally be considered eligible under Perkins III?

A:
Administrative Costs (5%)
Consultants
Personnel Services (PARs)
Instructional Materials
Travel
Stipends
Instructional Equipment
Others, as evaluated case-by-case

Q: What types of costs are not eligible under Perkins III?

A:
Student Expenses/Direct Assistance to Students
Expenses That Supplant
Entertainment
Audits, Except Single Audit
Awards and Memorabilia
Contributions and Donations
Individual Memberships
Contingencies
Facilities and Furniture
General Administration
College Tuition, Fees, Books
General Advertising
Fines and Penalties
Alcohol
Insurance/Self-Insurance
Fund Raising
Memberships with organizations whose primary purpose is to lobby (PAC’s)
Others, as evaluated case-by-case

Q: May colleges’ use Perkins III funds to purchase refreshments for local meetings?

A: Colleges must apply the following guidelines from the U.S. Office of management and Budget Circular A-87 when determining the appropriateness of all expenditures, including refreshments, using federal funds:

• All expenditures must “be necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient performance and administration of Federal awards”.
• An expenditure, or cost, is reasonable if, in its nature and amount, it does not exceed that which would be incurred by a prudent person under the circumstances prevailing at the time the decision was made to incur the cost.

In other words: Would the expenditure or cost of the item(s) seem reasonable and prudent to the general public?

• In determining reasonableness of a given expenditure, or cost, consideration must be given to whether the expenditure or cost is:
  • Of a type generally recognized as ordinary and necessary for, or within, the operation of the entity who received the award,
  • Consistent with the recipient’s policies, regulations and procedures,
  • Consistent with guidelines for sound business practices in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
  • Consistent with the intent, terms and conditions of the Federal award,
  • Provided at fair market prices for comparable goods and services,
  • Demonstrating prudence by the individuals determining expenditure and cost allocation,
  • In compliance with all Federal, state or local laws and regulations
• All expenditure must be documented for audit.

Given the above listed criteria, the ultimate decision to purchase refreshments rests with the appropriate authority at each college.

Q: May Perkins funds be used to support a program/service that was supported last year with non-federal funds?

A:
No, this would be supplanting.
Exception – When it would be impossible to continue the program/service without the federal funds, then it MAY not be supplanting.

• Must be evaluated case-by-case

Q: Can Perkins III funds be co-mingled with other funds to offer programs and/or services?

A: Perkins funds may not be co-mingled so that they lose their identity. Expenditures must be traceable to the source of funding. However, eligible programs and services can be co-funded to maximize the over-all available funds.  

Q: How often does equipment, purchased with Federal vocational funds, need to be inventoried?

A: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular 110 compliance supplement requires colleges that purchase equipment with Federal funds, costing $5,000 or more, be inventoried every two years. OMB Circular 110 defines equipment as: “tangible nonexpendable personal property including exempt property charged directly to the award having a useful life of more than one year and an acquisition cost of $5,000 or more per unit. However, consistent with recipient policy, lower limits may be established.”

For additional information about this requirement contact:
David Day, Campus Assistance
Phone: 651-917-4709 E-Mail: david.day@csu.mnscu.edu
Fax: 651-649-5779

Q. What performance outcomes are being assessed under Perkins III?

A. The primary performance outcomes being assessed under Perkins III are student learner outcomes. Documented learner outcomes are mandated in the areas of student academic and skill attainment, completion, placement, and retention. In addition, participation in nontraditional employment and training, and participation within 16 career cluster areas is measured.

Q. What populations are measured under Perkins III?

A. The core indicators measure performance at both the college and statewide level. Data are also disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, and special population (limited English, academically disadvantaged, disabled, single parent, displaced homemaker, economically disadvantaged). Students fall under one or more enrollment groups. Participants are those students enrolled in one or more courses within a declared major in a Perkins designated vocational education program. Concentrators are those students with a declared major in a Perkins designated vocational technical education program and who have completed a minimum of 33% of the total number of credits required for program completion. Completers are those students awarded a certificate, diploma, associate in applied science, or associate in science degree.

Q. How does college performance impact local funding?

A. College performance on each core indicator contributes to the overall state performance level. Colleges are required to meet and/or exceed the state-negotiated levels of performance. College allocations are budgeted in two categories – the basic grant and targeted funds. When a college’s performance level meets or exceeds the state negotiated level, that college can allocate the total amount of funding available (basic grant + targeted funds) as it desires within their approved Perkins plan. However, if a college’s performance level does not meet the state negotiated level, that college must redesign their Perkins plan, and apply their targeted funds to activities specifically designed to improve performance in the low performance core indicator area(s). Colleges that continually fail to meet yearly negotiated levels of performance provide a negative impact to Minnesota ’s overall Federal Perkins performance record. Without measured improvement, these low performing colleges stand to lose future Perkins funding and may have the potential to impact the states Perkins allocation.

Note: For FY2006, colleges must have met or exceeded the state negotiated level of performance (24.00%) for core indicators 1P1, 1P2 and 2P1 as reported for FY2004 in order to have full discretion over the use of funds. If a college has not met these levels, it must apply the targeted budget amount to core indicator performance area(s) which fall below state-negotiated levels of performance.

Q. What is the “Using Data for Effective Decision-Making” project?

A. This project began in FY2000 as a pilot with six college participants. The project goal is to provide system-wide leadership and technical assistance to enhance Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Perkins Act grantees in their understanding of using data collection and analysis for decision-making, local program planning, and continuous process improvement. The project has expanded and now includes all colleges receiving Perkins funds. Colleges have focused on improving data integrity, application of data to continuous improvement and local plan development. Participants have built a network of peer support and expertise in various areas specific to Perkins activities and college improvement.

Q. What is the Perkins III Program Quality Initiative (PQI)?

A. PQI started in January 2003. PQI builds on the Using Data for Effective Decision-Making project by expanding the focus from collecting high-quality data to using these data to improve program quality and student performance on Perkins III core performance indicators. PQI goals are: 1) Improve Perkins data integrity, 2) Use data for effective decision-making and planning when writing annual college Perkins applications, 3) Put data into the hands of those that use it, 4) Use data for driving improved program quality and performance, and 5) Build a state-wide peer technical assistance network.

Q. What is the Perkins III Data Warehouse?

A. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities student data are collected electronically using the Integrated Statewide Record System (ISRS). All Perkins III outcome data, derived from ISRS, may be accessed at the local college level and Office of the Chancellor level from a web based program called Brio. Brio contains all the data elements making up the Perkins III data warehouse. The goal of the Perkins III data warehouse and related training is to get college and system wide data into the hands of those that need it, and to provide technical assistance on how to use the data for program improvement, program evaluation, local plan development and revision, and budget decisions. The data warehouse features both standard reports and the capacity for building customized reports for self-selected data elements. The Perkins III data warehouse continues to expand based on local college input and needs. Information about the Brio system as applied to Perkins data is available at: Brio Training

Q: When would a college have to develop a ‘Local Improvement Plan’?

A: As stated in the Official Guide to the Perkins Act of 1998, the eligible agency (Office of the Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities) is required to evaluate an eligible recipient’s (local college’s) performance using state adjusted levels of performance each year. If progress is not evident, the college will enter into an improvement plan, with regular evaluations by the Office of the Chancellor, to assist in overcoming deficiencies

Q: When being audited, what will auditors be looking for at the college level?

A: Currently, Kern, DeWinter, Viere, LTD (KDV) is responsible for the system-wide audit of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities. This includes auditing internal federal programs, as determined by the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor. KDV’s work is incorporated into the State of Minnesota ’s report on federally assisted programs, often referred to as the single audit report.

If the Vocational Education Basic State Grant Program – CFDA 84.048 (Perkins III) is determined to be internal, KDV will review controls at the Office of the Chancellor over the distribution and reporting of Perkins III funds. In addition, KDV may complete contract work as well as testing at the college level. Control work and testing may include determining whether:

• The institution appropriately manages the Perkins III budget.
• Expenditures, including payroll costs, are for allowable activities – consistent with required and permissible goals, strategies, and outcome measures as stated in the approved Perkins Local Application.
• Purchases are made in compliance with MnSCU and institution specific policies and procedures.
• The institution is in compliance with record retention policies – e.g. appropriate documentation is maintained.
• Equipment and real property are properly managed – state asset stickers and inventoried.
• Perkins III funds are accounted for appropriately – that funds are tracked in separate cost centers.

Q. Who do I contact at the Office of the Chancellor for further information about Perkins III?

A. The Educational Grants Unit at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Office of the Chancellor, is available to answer questions and provide technical assistance. Please feel free to contact staff. Many resources are available at the CTE web site at www.cte.mnscu.edu . Staff e-mail (except for Michele Dorschner) addresses: firstname.lastname@so.mnscu.edu.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs: Deena B. Allen (651-296-3874)
System Director, Perkins: Pradeep Kotamraju, (651-282-5569)
Program Director, College Liaison: Lloyd A. Petri (651-297-1484)
Program Director, Tech Prep: Mary Messimer (651-296-9590)
Program Director, Community Partnership/Nontraditional Employment and Training:
Eva Scates-Winston (651-297-3792)
Perkins Data Warehouse: Michele Dorschner (651-917-4717) E-Mail: Michele.dorschner@csu.mnscu.edu
Administrative Support: Florence Newton (651-296-3906) and Kathy Kirchoff (651-297-1116)

Appendix A: top
Perkins III Institution and Program Eligibility to Criteria

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Institution Eligibility:

• Institute of higher education as defined by section 435(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
• Institute is approved to offer certificates, diplomas, and/or degrees ( AAS , AS ) that lead to specific occupational/employment outcomes that do not require a baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree.
• Institute has an Information System (ISRS) in place to track data required for core performance measures and benchmarking analysis and federal and state reporting.
• Institute meets minimum requirement for unduplicated Pell Grant recipients in eligible programs as defined in Perkins III.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Program Eligibility:

• Programs offer a certificate, diploma, associate in applied science, or associate in science degree that lead to specific occupational/employment outcomes.
• Programs are of sufficient scope:
  • Organized sequence of courses or skill sets;
  • Programs outcomes do not require a baccalaureate, masters or doctoral degree; and
  • Programs have articulation agreement(s) with secondary career and technical education programs. (long term goal)
  • Programs demonstrate sufficient quality:
  • Program provides equitable participation for special populations.
  • If nontraditional for gender, program provides equitable participation for gender equity.
  • Program and curriculum outcomes reflect current labor market needs.
  • Program includes competency-based applied learning that delivers:
  • Occupationally Specific Skills
  • Academic Knowledge
  • Higher-Order Reasoning and Problem Solving Skills
  • Skills in the Application of Technology
  • General Employability and Work Readiness Skills
  • Program has baseline completion rates of over 60%.
  • Graduate follow-up final response rate shall meet the 85% standard.
  • Program has baseline placement rates of over 65%.
  • Program instructors have appropriate credentials and assigned field according to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board Policy Chapter 3, 3.9 and Chapter 4, 4.3. ( Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board Policies may be viewed at www.mnscu.edu).

Appendix B: top
Perkins III Program Development Grants

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities eligible institutions that have met their performance targets for the preceding year may apply for Perkins III Program Development Grants. There are two types of program development grants: 1) New program development grants for a college that is developing a new program, and 2) Collaborative curriculum alignment grants for at least one college and one K-12 district that provide for aligned curriculum in new or existing programs that provide for a career pathway. The collaboration may involve additional college(s), K-12 district(s), universities, industry and/or other partners. Grants may be awarded for program development in certificate, diploma, associate in applied science, or associate in science degree programs, or a cluster of programs that provide for:

• A specific occupational/employment outcome
• Equitable participation for special populations
• Outcomes that reflect current labor market needs
• Competency based applied learning that delivers
  • Occupationally specific skills
  • Academic knowledge
  • Higher-order reasoning and problem solving skills
  • Skills in the application of technology
  • General employability and work readiness skill
• Career Pathway Design starting with high school education

Funds may be requested for activities related to the development of a proposed new program or group of closely related programs. Examples of fundable expenses include:

• release time for faculty or hiring consultants to research labor market information, develop curriculum, develop articulation agreements or collaboration agreements,
• collaboration or advisory committee meeting expenses,
• expenses for conducting surveys; and/or
• advisory committee expenses.

NOTE: Funds may not be used for purchase of equipment.

For additional information contact: JoAnn Simser, joann.simser@so.mnscu.edu Phone: 651-297-2285
Fax: 651-296-3214

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