Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Perkins Modernization Act of 2015”.
Perkins Modernization Act of 2015
A BILL
To amend the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 to improve the Act.
Sec. 2 Purposes
Section 2 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2301) is amended—
in paragraph (1), by striking “, or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions” and inserting “employment in current or emerging in-demand industry sectors or occupations”;
in paragraph (6), by striking “and” at the end;
in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and
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.”
Sec. 3 Definitions
Section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(35) In-demand industry sector or occupation—The term in-demand industry sector or occupation has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).”
Sec. 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)) is amended by striking “, or high demand occupations or professions” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”.
Sec. 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)) is amended—
in paragraph (2)(B)(iii)(II), by inserting “in in-demand industry sectors or occupations” after “critical)”; and
in paragraph (4)(A)(i)(V), by striking “occupations in high skill, high wage, or high demand business and industry” and inserting “high skill, high wage employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”.
Sec. 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) is amended—
in paragraphs (1) and (3), by striking “, or high demand occupations” each place it appears and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”; and
in paragraph (4), by striking “, or high demand occupations in current or emerging professions” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations,”.
Sec. 7 State plan
Section 122(c) of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2342(c)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)—
in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting “and careers in in-demand industry sectors or occupations” after “in postsecondary education”;
in subparagraph (H), by striking “entry into high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations in current or emerging occupations” and inserting “for employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”; and
in subparagraph (I)(iii), by striking “employment in high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations” and inserting “high skill, high wage employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”;
in paragraph (4), by inserting “or into high skill, high wage employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations” after “higher education”;
in paragraph (9)(C), by striking “, or high demand occupations” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”; and
in paragraph (18), by striking “, or high demand occupations” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”.
Sec. 8 State leadership activities
Section 124 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2344) is amended—
in subsection (b)—
in paragraph (1), by striking “, or high demand occupations” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”;
in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting “, equipment,” after “internships”;
in paragraph (5), by striking “occupations” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”;
by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (9) as paragraphs (8) through (10), respectively;
in paragraph (9) (as so redesignated), by striking “, or high demand” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or”; and
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;”
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph (1)—
in subparagraph (A), by inserting “, and encouraging secondary students to pursue dual enrollment coursework as well as industry licenses, certificates, and other postsecondary credentials” after “degree”; and
in subparagraph (B), by striking “occupations” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”; and
in paragraph (9), by striking “, or high demand occupations” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or occupations”.
Sec. 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)) is amended by striking “, or high demand” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or”.
Sec. 10 Local uses of funds
Section 135 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2355) is amended—
in subsection (b)(9), by striking “, or high demand” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or”; and
in subsection (c)(12) by striking “, or high demand” and inserting “employment in in-demand industry sectors or”.