Cleveland City Schools was among those the Tennessee Department of Education announced received over $2 million in Perkins Reserve Grant awards.
Cleveland City Schools received $43,121.90 for their Raider Evolve program at Cleveland High
School. This CTE program is for juniors and seniors and is a multi-operational school
corporation managed and operated by students as “hands-on” learning laboratories and career
opportunities that integrate different aspects of a real-world environment.
For many students, Raider Evolve will provide work experience by utilizing the keys of building management, communication, supervision, entrepreneurship and leadership skills. Students will learn the basics of welding, fabrication, plasma cutting, laser etching while sharpening their skills in
creative design related to business marketing, advertising and the distribution of merchandise.
This program began in the 2020-2021 school year and this grant will help excel it to greater
heights, officials said.
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jeff Elliott said, “I am proud of the innovative programs at Cleveland High School set in place to prepare students to be ready for college and the workplace. CTE Supervisor Renny Whittenbarger, teachers and staff are doing a fantastic job in developing real-life experiences for our students. I look forward to seeing Raider Evolve in action during the 2021-2022 school year.”
The Perkins Reserve Grant is a competitive grant opportunity made possible through the federal Perkins V legislation passed in 2018. In 2020, the PRG grant opportunity was redesigned under the four-year Strengthening Career and Technical Education in Tennessee state plan to foster local innovation and support implementation of CTE programs and career pathways, especially in more rural areas, aligned with regionally identified high skill, high wage and/or in-demand occupations or industries.
At the K-12 level for the 2021-22 school year, 38 Tennessee school districts, 13 of which
are in economically at-risk or distressed counties, will receive a total of $2.3 million in Perkins
Reserve Grant awards.