April 13, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to issue this second set of questions and answers (Q&As) regarding Perkins and the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). As Assistant Secretary Scott Stump states in the opening of the document, we continue to be amazed by the extraordinary steps you are taking to meet the needs of your schools and students during this unprecedented time. From rotating small groups of students through sanitized labs to moving classes online to manufacturing protective equipment on 3D printers, you and your local program practitioners are stopping at nothing to experiment, innovate, and continue preparing students for the career pathways that lie ahead.

During our recent Town Hall Webinar and via emails with you and your team members, we have learned of shifting State staff priorities to address the outbreak, as well as widespread closures of local CTE programs that require hands-on learning under the direction of skilled instructors or workplace mentors. We hope this second set of Q&As, addressing local plan requirements, consultation, and performance data submissions, provide further flexibilities and support for your work. This document can also be found on the Perkins Collaborative Resource Network (PCRN) at https://cte.ed.gov/grants/covid-19-information.

OCTAE will continue to remain in close contact with you and your team, and will provide on-going support through additional FAQs, if needed, and technical assistance during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Wishing health and safety for you, your family, and your staff in these unprecedented times -

Sharon Lee Miller
Director, Division of Academic and Technical Education