1. Perkins Postsecondary Reserve Fund Grants WELDING PROGRAM OF STUDY

2. Overview and General Information

3. Reserve Fund Authorization The approved Arkansas State Plan for Career and Technical Education authorizes ADHE to reserve up to 10% of awards provided to local recipients. This Perkins Postsecondary Reserve Fund may be used to fund model projects that support statewide Perkins goals and will be awarded through a competitive RFP process. These model projects include alignment of curricula in CTE programs of study as defined in the current Perkins legislation. Recipients must be willing to provide technical assistance to institutions wishing to replicate projects funded through the Reserve Fund.

4. Purpose of Reserve Fund Funds will be awarded for the purpose of increasing the number of students completing welding programs and receiving recognized industry certification. Preference will be given to proposals that focus primarily on aligning welding curricula between secondary and postsecondary institutions and with said curricula based on industry standards which meets the needs of business and industry in Arkansas. Use of the reserve fund for programs of study is also in response to a compliance finding received during a federal monitoring review in 2014. Arkansas is in improvement plan status until this deficiency is corrected.

5. Reserve Fund Amount Perkins recipients did not spend $180,000 of funds allocated in 2013-14. ADHE has set aside $95,000 of this amount for the Perkins Postsecondary Reserve Fund to be distributed through a competitive grant process for developing and/or enhancing programs of study in welding. Amounts awarded are in addition to basic grant awards and will be reimbursed separately from these funds.

6. Eligible Recipients Institutions eligible for Reserve Fund grants must be a current Perkins recipient and meet at least one of the following criteria Be located in a rural area. For the Reserve Fund, rural is defined as Arkansas counties will less than 120 persons per square mile. (Benton, Craighead, Faulkner, Garland, Pulaski, Saline, Sebastian, and Washington) Have a high number of CTE students. For the Reserved Fund, this is defined as a minimum of 800 students enrolled in CTE programs. Have a high percentage of CTE students. For the Reserve Fund, this is defined as either 50% of overall student population enrolled in CTE or 50% of all programs offered are CTE.

7. Rural: Less than 120 person per square mile

8. Program of Study Definition Sec. 122. (c)(1) CTE program of study definition Incorporates secondary and postsecondary elements Includes coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant CTE content Is delivered in a coordinated, non-duplicated progression of courses that align secondary and postsecondary education to prepare students to succeed in postsecondary education May include opportunity for dual/concurrent/articulated college credit Leads to an industry-recognized credential or postsecondary certificate or degree

9. Eligible Use of Funds Alignment and Credit Transfer Expenses related to convening secondary and postsecondary staff for purpose of aligning curriculum (stipends, travel, meals, meeting supplies, etc.) Expenses related to establishing agreements between secondary and postsecondary Expenses related to establishing agreements between postsecondary institutions for purposes of credit transfer Expenses for required curriculum development and/or embedding of NCCER, AWS or other industry recognized curriculum in existing coursework

10. Eligible Use of Funds Strengthening Advisory Boards for Alignment with Industry Needs Expenses related to establishing joint secondary/postsecondary and/or regional welding advisory boards

11. Eligible Use of Funds Increase Number of Students Earning Technical Certifications Expenses related to activities that increase the number of students obtaining industry certifications (certification of faculty to administer certification assessments, student testing fees, etc.)

12. Eligible Use of Funds Other Items Professional development/certification for welding faculty Activities that promote enrollment and completion of females in welding programs Expenses related to collection and reporting of student certification results Administration of the grant Equipment and/or classroom supplies are ineligible at this time. If funds remain, a second grant period will be open for equipment requests. If requested funds are for something other than curriculum alignment, a completed Program of Study Template for the welding program must be provided as evidence that the program complies with Perkins requirements.

13. Award Period and Timeline DateActivity February 20Grant Application Process Announced March 16Application Deadline April 3Applicants Notified September 30Deadline to Obligate Funds December 15Deadline to Submit Final Project Report December 15Deadline to Submit Final Request for Reimbursements

14. Application and Submission Process Qualified institutions must submit a proposal describing the nature and scope of the proposed project and the amount of funding requested. The application form and related documents can be found at http://www.adheperkins.com under State Announcements. The Perkins Postsecondary Reserve Fund application form must be submitted electronically to monieca.west@adhe.edu no later than 4:30 p.m. on March 16, 2015. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Applicants will be notified of results by email no later than April 3, 2015.

15. Reporting Requirements A final narrative report and a final expenditure report must be submitted no later than December 15, 2015. The final report must include a completed Program of Study Template (found at http://www.adheperkins.com).

16. Failure to Commence and/or Right to Terminate If the project activities described in the grant proposal have not commenced within 30 days after acceptance of the grant award, the recipient must provide a written explanation and an adjusted timeline. If project activities have not commenced within 15 days of the receipt of this letter, ADHE may terminate the grant and the recipient will be required to reimburse the State of Arkansas for all Reserve Fund monies previously received. Any changes to activities described in the grant assurances must be approved in writing prior to the change occurring. Failure to do so could result in termination of the grant and/or refusal to reimbursement expenses paid without proper approval.

17. Payment of Grant Funds Funds will be paid to the institution on a reimbursement basis. Documentation must accompany all requests for reimbursement. This documentation includes evidence of the date of obligation and evidence that the expense has been paid by the institution. This reimbursement is separate from basic Perkins grant funds.

18. For More Information Monieca West, ADHE Federal Program Manager 501.371.2018 monieca.west@adhe.edu

19. Grant Application Documents

20. www.adheperkins.com

21. Cover Page CONTACT INFORMATION Submitted by: Click here to enter text. Title: Click here to enter text. Phone: Click here to enter text. Email: Click here to enter text. PROJECT MANAGEMENT Project Manager: Click here to enter text. Title: Click here to enter text. Phone: Click here to enter text. Email: Click here to enter text.

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