State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Arntzen Submits Perkins V State Plan to US Department of Education
HELENA – Superintendent Arntzen submitted the 2024-2027 Montana State Perkins V Plan for Career and Technical Education (CTE) to the US Department of Education. Perkins V, or the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, is the fifth iteration of Carl D. Perkins. The purpose of this Act is to fully develop the technical and employability skills of secondary and post-secondary education students.
“Our children are the future of our great state,” said Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “My Montana Ready initiative focuses on creating more robust career pathways for our students. I appreciate the partnership and robust parental communication that went into developing this plan that focuses on building a better future for all Montanans.”
The State Plan Advisory Committee, as required by § 20-7-330, MCA, helped prepare the Montana State Plan. The committee includes four representatives from secondary and postsecondary education and two representatives from business/industry:
- Paddy Flemming, Director, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
- Lily Apedaile, Director, Office of Health Research and Partnership, University of Montana
- Dan Durglo, Director of Operations, S&K Technologies
- James Easton, Montana Chamber Foundation Workforce Specialist
- Bill Ryan, Education Coordinator, Dick Anderson Construction
- Mary Heller, Montana Ready Coordinator, Montana Office of Public Instruction
A CTE Stakeholder Survey was sent out to CTE teachers, high school students, college faculty and staff, and business and industry representatives to identify career-related opportunities, priorities, and goals for students, teachers, educators, and community members. There were over 1,300 responses that showed:
- 96% agree that quality CTE options for students are important to strengthen Montana’s economy.
- 90% believe that work-based learning opportunities are very or extremely important for a student’s education.
- Respondents also identified career fairs and career exploration events, workplace tours, job shadows, internships, and apprenticeships/pre-apprenticeships as the most important activities to prioritize for Montana students.
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