PERKINS V ALIGNMENT| National High School BBQ Association®

Perkins V Alignment - High School

Last Updated: 12-17-2025

High School CTE Integration Through the Live Fire Learning Lab

Perkins V® Alignment & CTE Compliance

High School BBQ programs sanctioned by the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®) are designed as Career & Technical Education (CTE)–aligned instructional experiences, fully compatible with the intent and allowable uses of Perkins V.

This page outlines how High School BBQ supports Perkins V goals by strengthening career pathways, employability skills, industry relevance, and equitable access—while remaining appropriate for public school accountability, funding, and audit requirements.

CTE Pathway Alignment: From Exploration to Application

At the high school level, BBQ and live-fire instruction transition from career exploration into applied pathway learning, reinforcing competencies students will use in postsecondary education and the workforce.

High School BBQ aligns most directly with:

• Hospitality & Tourism Career Cluster

• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

• Manufacturing & Skilled Trades

• Business, Marketing & Entrepreneurship

Programs are intentionally structured to complement—not compete with—existing Culinary Arts, ProStart, FCS, Ag, Welding, and Entrepreneurship pathways.

Perkins V: Allowable Uses Supported

Perkins V funding may be used to support High School BBQ programs in ways that are instructional, documented, and outcomes-driven.

Common Perkins-eligible uses include:

• CTE instructional equipment and tools

• Safety systems, training, and certification costs

• Curriculum and instructional resources

• Professional development for CTE educators

• Student credentialing, skill documentation, and portfolios

• Career exploration and work-based learning activities

All uses are aligned to local Perkins plans, state CTE priorities, and district approval processes.

Instructional Design & Standards Integration

Career-Connected, Project-Based Learning

Students engage in structured, standards-aligned projects that simulate real workplace environments, including:

• Role-based team operations

• Time, temperature, and quality control

• Process planning and execution

• Documentation, reflection, and evaluation

This approach reinforces technical skill development alongside employability skills required by Perkins V.

Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) & Culinary Alignment

High School BBQ supports FCS Food Production and Services competencies by emphasizing:

• Advanced food safety and sanitation

• Thermometer-based cooking and documentation

• Menu planning and production flow

• Professional kitchen behaviors and teamwork

Programs integrate seamlessly into existing culinary and FCS course sequences.

STEM & Applied Science

BBQ and live-fire instruction provide authentic contexts for:

• Thermal energy and heat transfer

• Data collection and analysis

• Equipment systems and airflow principles

• Engineering design and iteration

These experiences reinforce applied STEM learning through real-world use rather than simulation alone.

Employability Skills & SEL Outcomes

Perkins V emphasizes employability and workforce readiness. High School BBQ programs explicitly develop:

• Communication and collaboration

• Responsibility and accountability

• Leadership and decision-making

• Professionalism and safety awareness

Students demonstrate these skills through documented performance, not informal participation.

Equity, Access & Student Engagement

High School BBQ expands access to CTE by:

• Engaging students who may not connect with traditional classroom instruction

• Offering multiple entry points across grade levels and interests

• Providing hands-on, relevant learning tied to real careers

• Supporting student persistence and pathway completion

This aligns with Perkins V priorities around equity and inclusion.

Safety, Governance & District Approval

All NHSBBQA-aligned programs are designed with:

• Written safety protocols and supervision structures

• Age-appropriate equipment and instructional methods

• Clear separation between instruction and extracurricular competition

• Documentation suitable for board review, audits, and grant reporting

This ensures High School BBQ can be implemented as a CTE instructional program, not an informal activity.

Postsecondary & Workforce Connections

High School BBQ supports Perkins V’s emphasis on programs of study by:

• Connecting coursework to postsecondary culinary, hospitality, agriculture, and trade programs

• Introducing industry terminology, expectations, and workflows

• Supporting credentials, resumes, and digital portfolios

Students leave with verifiable skills and experiences that translate beyond high school.

Summary Statement (Pull Quote)

“High School BBQ aligns with Perkins V by delivering career-connected, standards-based CTE instruction that builds technical skill, employability, and pathway readiness through safe, documented, and equitable learning experiences.”

Related Pages

• CTE & Standards Overview

• Middle School Perkins V Alignment

• Career Clusters Alignment

• Safety & Risk Management

“Our programs integrate CTE, Career Clusters, NGSS, FCS, STEM, and SEL into a single, standards-aligned learning framework that prepares students for informed pathway selection and long-term success.”