Board approves CTE Perkins 5 application after CTE team reports sharp gains in credential attainment

CTE leaders told the Brunswick County Schools curriculum committee they are seeing substantial gains in program quality and credential attainment and asked the board to approve the comprehensive local needs assessment (CLNA) and the Perkins 5 local application for submission to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

"Districtwide performance has increased from 64.9 back in 2021 to 87% for this past school year," the CTE presenter reported, citing preliminary 25–26 data for state assessments, performance‑based measurements and local PBMs. The presenter also said credential attainment rose dramatically — districtwide credentials attained rose from about 45.2% in 22–23 to a preliminary ~86.2% for 25–26 — and linked gains to intentional emphasis on administering credential exams and expanded career pathways.

Daniel, who oversees work‑based learning, said internships increased from eight (22–23) to 61 completed this year and that the program is targeting 75 internships next year. CTE staff described new employer partnerships with local hospitals, engineering firms and businesses that provided placements, including the district’s first virtual, long‑term internship.

At the request of CTE staff, a board member moved to approve the CLNA and the Perkins 5 local application so staff could submit to DPI; a second was given and the chair called the vote. The board voiced approval and staff said they would file the application before the state deadline.

The CTE presentation also outlined planned expansions — adding middle‑school computer science to meet a state requirement and new high‑school offerings including law and justice and AP computer science — and emphasized transportation and partner coordination to expand career college promise participation and workforce pathways.

Action: the board approved district submission of the CTE CLNA and Perkins 5 local application; staff will submit to DPI.