MACEM Executive Director Kathy Francis and Instructional Coordinator Stephen Carter had the opportunity to participate in the development of the 2019-2020 Maryland State Transition Year Plan for Career and Technology Education. A series of three-day long programs supported by virtual collaboration resulted in a draft plan under the leadership of the CTE staff of the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). MACEM representatives participated in the sub-committees addressing Special Populations, and Preparing an Educated and Skilled Workforce.
The Maryland plan is in response to the new federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, known as “Perkins V.” The legislation was passed by the United States Congress and signed by the President in August 2018. The program is a reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006, which guides Career and Technical Education at both the secondary and post-secondary levels.
The completed plan will be available to public comments between December 2018 and February 2019 with anticipated implementation in July 2019. The purpose of the Perkins V effort is to develop more fully the academic knowledge, and technical and employability skills of secondary education students and post-secondary-education students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs and programs of study. The draft plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Education in April 2019.