Perkins Modernization Act of 2015

To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to improve the Act. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Perkins Modernization Act of 2015 2. Purposes Section 2 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2301 (1) in paragraph (1), by striking , or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions employment in current or emerging in-demand industry sectors or occupations (2) in paragraph (6), by striking and (3) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (8) aligning the skills, certifications, and credentials of secondary and postsecondary students who enroll in career and technical education programs with the skills, certifications, and credentials needed by employers in the labor markets served by the educational institutions; and (9) ensuring that the selection of skills, certifications, and credentials acquired by career and technical education students is guided by timely labor market information. . 3. Definitions Section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2302 (35) In-demand industry sector or occupation The term in-demand industry sector or occupation 29 U.S.C. 3102 . 4. Accountability Section 113(b)(2)(B)(iv) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2323(b)(2)(B)(iv) , or high demand occupations or professions employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations 5. National activities Section 114(d) of the of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2324(d) (1) in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II), by inserting in in-demand industry sectors or occupations critical) (2) in paragraph (4)(A)(i)(V), by striking occupations in high skill, high wage, or high demand business and industry high skill, high wage employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations 6. Occupational and employment information Section 118(c) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2328 (1) in paragraphs (1) and (3), by striking , or high demand occupations employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (2) in paragraph (4), by striking , or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations, 7. State plan Section 122(c) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2342(c) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting and careers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations in postsecondary education (B) in subparagraph (H), by striking entry into high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in current or emerging occupations for employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (C) in subparagraph (I)(iii), by striking employment in high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations high skill, high wage employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting or into high skill, high wage employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations higher education (3) in paragraph (9)(C), by striking , or high demand occupations employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (4) in paragraph (18), by striking , or high demand occupations employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations 8. State leadership activities Section 124 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2344 (1) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking , or high demand occupations employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (B) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting , equipment, internships (C) in paragraph (5), by striking occupations employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (D) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively; (E) in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated), by striking , or high demand employment in in-demand industry sectors or (F) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: (7) analyzing labor market information collected by State agencies, Federal agencies, workforce investment boards, or other third-party organizations engaged in labor market research in order to ensure that programs of study in career and technical education align with labor market needs; ; and (2) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting , and encouraging secondary students to pursue dual enrollment coursework as well as industry licenses, certificates, and other postsecondary credentials degree (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking occupations employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations (B) in paragraph (9), by striking , or high demand occupations employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations 9. Local plan for career and technical education Section 134(b)(8)(C) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2354(b)(8)(C) , or high demand employment in in-demand industry sectors or 10. Local uses of funds Section 135 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 ( 20 U.S.C. 2355 (1) in subsection (b)(9), by striking , or high demand employment in in-demand industry sectors or (2) in subsection (c)(12) by striking , or high demand employment in in-demand industry sectors or

Summary: Perkins Modernization Act of 2015 This bill amends the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to revise its purposes, which are to develop more fully the academic and career and technical skills of secondary education students and postsecondary students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs (as under current law), by: preparing those students for employment in current or emerging in-demand industry sectors or occupations; aligning the skills, certifications, and credentials of the students with those needed by employers in the labor markets served by educational institutions; and ensuring that the selection of skills, certifications, and credentials acquired by such students is guided by timely labor market information. An "in-demand industry sector or occupation" is: an industry sector that has a substantial current or potential impact on the state, regional, or local economy, and that contributes to the growth or stability of other supporting businesses, or the growth of other industry sectors; or an occupation that currently has or is projected to have a number of positions in an industry sector so as to have a significant impact on the state, regional, or local economy.