How to fund your PAES Lab
You may not need new money for this. Federal and state programs already set funds aside for hands-on career assessment and transition planning. Tell us about your students and we will help you find the right route.
IDEA: Individuals with disabilities education act
IDEA Part B · Formula funding · Grades K–12
Districts commonly fund PAES through IDEA Part B. Your special education director can confirm how it applies in your state.
How it applies to PAES
PAES supports IEP development, transition planning, and secondary transition services under Indicator 13. PAES assessment data is defensible, performance-based, and directly supports post-secondary outcome goals, all IDEA-aligned uses.
Carl D. Perkins career & technical education act (Perkins V)
Perkins V · CTE formula funding
PAES can be considered under Perkins V where districts prioritise performance-based CTE assessment. Whether Perkins funds can be used toward a lab build-out, equipment or training is a determination for your district and state Perkins coordinator.
How it applies to PAES
Students in a PAES Lab are scored on real work across five career areas. That is exactly the kind of performance-based assessment Perkins V asks programs to show, and it speaks to program quality, special populations, and work-based learning. Perkins funds can cover the lab build-out, equipment, and supervisor training.
WIOA / DVR: Pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS)
WIOA Title IV · 15% Pre-ETS Set-Aside · Ages 14 to 21
PAES can be considered under WIOA youth program funds. Eligibility varies by state and local workforce board.
How it applies to PAES
Some districts co-fund with their state VR agency under Pre-ETS. Your VR liaison can confirm what applies.
Title I: Improving academic achievement of the disadvantaged
Title I Part A · Schoolwide programs · Low-income focus
Title I provides federal funding to schools serving high concentrations of students from low-income families. For schools, Title I can be considered under special education and transition services.
How it applies to PAES
In Title I schoolwide programs, PAES can be funded as part of a wider plan to close achievement and opportunity gaps, especially preparing students from low-income families for life after school.
State transition readiness grants
State-specific · Varies by state · Annual application cycles
Many states run dedicated grant programs for secondary transition, work-based learning, and post-secondary outcome improvement. Availability, naming, and application windows vary by state.
How it applies to PAES
When a grant application asks for evidence of program quality, PAES can point to a peer-reviewed research foundation: Swisher, Green and Tollefson, presented at the 1999 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting (ERIC ED431021), plus 35+ years of classroom use.
Medicaid: school-based services
State Medicaid · IEP-related services · Eligibility varies by state
Some districts explore Medicaid school-based services reimbursement where PAES is written into an IEP. State rules govern, so confirm with your Medicaid coordinator.
How it applies to PAES
Where PAES assessment is written into a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) as a related service, districts in some states may claim Medicaid reimbursement for supervisor time. Rules vary by state, so check with your district's Medicaid coordinator.
Local & district grants
Discretionary · Foundation grants · Workforce board allocations
Local workforce boards fund youth programs serving 14 to 24 year olds, and some districts explore board funding for PAES.
How it applies to PAES
Districts have funded PAES Labs through a range of routes, including discretionary funds and foundation grants.
Not sure which route fits your district?
Every district funds PAES differently: IDEA Part B, Perkins V, Title I, or a mix. Talk to us and we'll help you find the route that fits your budget cycle. Funding eligibility is always determined by your district, your state and the program itself. Your regional rep can share what has worked for comparable districts.