The new comprehensive local needs assessment (CLNA) is one of the most significant changes introduced in the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). The purpose of the CLNA is to support data-driven decisionmaking and more closely align planning, spending and accountability activities under Perkins V to provide focus at the local level. Yet, for the CLNA to reach its full potential, states and locals will need to commit significant resources and expertise. Without such an investment, the risk for the CLNA to simply be an exercise in compliance is too great.
Advance CTE convened a Shared Solutions Workgroup – comprised of state and national leaders – charged with developing thoughtful and forward-looking resources that help states maximize the opportunity of the CLNA. As a result of this Workgroup, Advance CTE developed this resource to identify potential funding streams to support the CLNA. This resource examines how Perkins funding streams, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and other state or private funds can be leveraged to support the CLNA.
The Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment Shared Solutions Workgroup, convened by Advance CTE with support from the Association for Career and Technical Education, is generously funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
