Improving Performance: The Five Step Process Mimi Lufkin Chief Executive Officer National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity

Perkins Act Accountability Core Indicators on Nontraditional CTE Participation in CTE programs preparing students for nontraditional fields Completion of CTE programs preparing students for nontraditional fields

Nontraditional Fields Occupations or fields of work, including careers in computer science, technology, and other current and emerging high skill occupations, for which individuals from one gender comprise less than 25 percent of the individuals employed in each such occupation or field of work.

STEP 2 Identify Root Causes STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 1 Document Performance Results The Five Step Process

Case Study Read the first page of the case study to set the stage for implementing the 5 Step Process

Document Performance Results Understand the problem completely before you seek solutions How do you analyze performance data? What questions should be addressed? What tools and methods can be used to present and analyze data? How should data quality problems be considered in analyzing data?

Unit of Analysis Perkins nontraditional participation Perkins nontraditional completion Program enrollment Program completion Course enrollment Course completion More????

Data Collection Gender –Male –Female Race/Ethnicity –American Indian or Alaskan Native –Asian or Pacific Islander –Black, non-Hispanic –Hispanic –White- non-Hispanic

Data Collection Special Population –Underrepresented gender students in a nontraditional CTE program –Single Parent –Displaced Homemaker –Limited English Proficient Students –Individuals with a Disability –Economically Disadvantaged

Comparisons State performance level Best performer in state Selected peer benchmark Set your own benchmark

Trends At least 2 years Preferred 3-5 years

Case Study Review the first page of the case study From the description, why are they not meeting the nontraditional core indicator? Are their additional data sources they should review to help identify the problem?

STEP 2 Identify Root Causes STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 1 Document Performance Results The Five Step Process

Why Search for Root Causes? Keep from fixating on the “silver bullet” strategy Identify the conditions or factors that cause or permit a performance gap to occur Focus eventual strategy selection to those that have the highest potential for success

How to Identify Root Causes Search for most direct and highest impact causes Employ a systematic evidence-based process Formulate and test theories or hypotheses Draw on current research and evaluation Use multiple methods and data sources Likely to find multiple causes

Identify Potential Causes Analyzing Student Data Reviewing Research Literature Reviewing Program/Institutional Evaluations and Effectiveness Reviews Conducting Focus Groups Brainstorming Peer Benchmarking Interviews Surveys

Review Research Summary Nontraditional Career Preparation: Root Causes and Strategies Authors: Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, Lynn Reha, Director and National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, Mimi Lufkin, CEO Available at

Individual Root Causes Activity Place a sticker on the poster identifying the two most significant root causes that you have observed for students entering programs nontraditional for their gender

Case Study Read page two of the case study What should they do next to identify the root causes for the gaps in performance they have discovered after reviewing the data?

STEP 2 Identify Root Causes STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 1 Document Performance Results The Five Step Process

Choose Best Solutions Don’t be too quick to adopt best practices before getting the facts straight How do you identify possible strategies and model practices? How do you evaluate strategies and models? How do you compare and assess alternative solutions and make a decision?

Assessing and Comparing Alternative Strategies Sound Theory Strong Evidence Costs/Time of Further Testing Resources Stakeholder Support Failure is Expensive Select a Full Range of Choices

Identify Potential Strategies and Models Review What Others Propose –NSF- New Formulas for America’s WorkforceNew Formulas for America’s Workforce Benchmark Peers and Leading Performers –Programs and Practices That WorkPrograms and Practices That Work –Best Practices in STEM EducationBest Practices in STEM Education –EEES Best PracticesEEES Best Practices Develop Your Own Solutions

Review Research Summary Nontraditional Career Preparation: Root Causes and Strategies Authors: Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support, Lynn Reha, Director and National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, Mimi Lufkin, CEO Available at

Strategies for Recruitment

Review career guidance materials and practices for gender bias and nontraditional exposure and support –Guidelines for Identifying Bias in Curriculum and MaterialsGuidelines for Identifying Bias in Curriculum and Materials Safe Schools Coalition –Careers for Men in Early Childhood EducationCareers for Men in Early Childhood Education National Association for the Education of Young Children –Am I a Fair CounselorAm I a Fair Counselor Destination Success, MAVCCMAVCC –Could This Be Your LifeCould This Be Your Life New Jersey Nontraditional Career Resource Center, Rutgers Univ.

Strategies for Recruitment Invite, involve and educate parents Talented Girls Bright Futures Publication by Project Lead the Way American Careers Magazine Expanding Career Options Issue Career Communications, Inc.

Strategies for Recruitment Conduct middle school programs Minot Public Schools Minot, North Dakota Programs and Practices That Work 2005 Award Winner

Strategies for Recruitment Provide role models and mentors Girls E-Mentoring in Science, Engineering and Technology GEM-SET USDOL, Women’s Bureau Engineer Girl National Academy of Engineering

Strategies for Recruitment Conduct targeted recruitment activities Summer Camps Men Teach Cisco Gender Initiative Strategies I am an Engineer Cisco Systems, Inc.

Strategies for Recruitment Conduct pre-technical training programs Rosies Girls Northern New England Tradeswomen

Strategies for Recruitment Collaborate with community-based organizations Operation SMART Girls, Inc.

Strategies for Recruitment Conduct professional development with teachers at all levels Generating Expectations for Student Achievement Graymill

Strategies for Recruitment Implement and model gender-fair institutional strategies Checking Your School for Sexism Destination Success, MAVCCMAVCC Gender Equity Item Bank Midwest Equity Assistance Center

Strategies for Retention

Evaluate all school materials for gender bias and positive nontraditional images Gender Equity Tip Sheets Are You Man Enough to Be a Nurse Oregon Center for Nursing

Strategies for Retention Increase teacher and administrator quality and equity-capacity through professional development The Equity Principal Graymill NAPE Professional Development Institute April 6-9, 2008 Washington, DC

Strategies for Retention Increase competence in diversity and sexual harassment prevention Gender Equity Tip Sheets Tolerance.org Southern Poverty Law Center

Strategies for Retention Conduct nontraditional student support groups and peer counseling Computer Clubhouse Boston’s Museum of Science Men In Childcare Resources

Strategies for Retention Provide nontraditional role models, mentors, and job shadowing MentorNet How to Plan and Facilitate a Job Shadowing Experience Destination Success, MAVCCMAVCC

Strategies for Retention Invite, involve and educate parents Career Prospects Website VA Department of Education Ways for Parents to Support Expanded Occupational Options Destination Success, MAVCCMAVCC

Strategies for Retention Provide a continuum of support services –Tutoring –Child care –Transportation –Financial Aid –Books, Equipment, Tools, Clothing –Tuition –Modification of Curriculum, Equipment –Student/Teacher Aides –More

Strategies for Retention Invite, involve, and educate business Cisco Systems, Inc. Gender Initiative Cisco Systems, Inc. Society of Women Engineers

Case Study Read page three of the case study What strategies should they implement to impact the identified root causes?

STEP 2 Identify Root Causes STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 1 Document Performance Results The Five Step Process

STEP 2 Identify Root Causes STEP 3 Choose Best Solutions STEP 4 Pilot Test and Evaluate Best Solutions STEP 5 Implement Solutions STEP 1 Document Performance Results The Five Step Process

Where to find the resources

Where to find the resources

Questions? Mimi Lufkin Executive Director National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity P.O. Box 369 Cochranville, PA phone fax