Perkins V Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment

Perkins V CLNA

Requirements and Eligibility

Perkins V requires that each institution awarded Perkins Basic Grant funds perform a comprehensive local needs assessment (CLNA) and submit it for approval to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Each CLNA must describe how an institution’s local Perkins program and funding will support career and technical education programs and assist special populations students as required by the act and in response to gaps identified in the CLNA and the institution’s plan for closing the gaps.

Specifically, Section 134(c) of the law states:

“To be eligible to receive financial assistance under this part, an eligible recipient shall—(A) conduct a CLNA related to career and technical education and include the results of the CLNA in the local application submitted under subsection (a); and (B) not less than once every 2 years, update such CLNA.”

Section 135 (a) (Local Use of Funds) of the law states:

“Each eligible recipient that receives funds under this part shall use such funds to develop, coordinate, implement, or improve career and technical education programs to meet the needs identified in the comprehensive local needs assessment described in section 134(c).” This requires that Perkins funds address the gaps and priorities identified through the CLNA, which includes supporting programs that do not meet the standards for size, scope, and quality. The requirements to use funds based on the CLNA results-specifically to address identified needs-means that underperforming programs (those not meeting size, scope, and quality) should be prioritized for improvement.