WIA Youth Common Measures and Program Reporting Requirements 1

Agenda Clarifying PY 2005 Accountability Reviewing Key Terms and Concepts Calculating Youth Common Measures Youth Program Reporting Requirements 2

Clarifying PY 2005 Accountability 3

PY 2005 Accountability Grantees are held accountable for performance outcomes on the seven WIA youth performance measures) –In the absence of a reauthorized WIA, the statutory measures must be used for accountability purposes Grantees are required to report on two of the three youth common measures – Placement in Employment/Education and Degree Attainment –Data collected through revised reports (i.e., WIASRD, Quarterly Report, and Annual Report) –No negotiation of youth common measures took place for PY

PY 2005 Accountability (cont’d) Grantees are encouraged to report on the Literacy/ Numeracy common measure but are not required to do so until PY 2006 –This allows a “transition year” (or two) of data collection for the youth common measures –What are some advantages to beginning reporting on this common measure during PY 2005? 5

Current WIA Youth Measures OLDER YOUTH (19-21) –Entered Employment –Retention –Credential Rate –Earnings Change YOUNGER YOUTH (14-18) –Skill Attainment Rate –Diploma Attainment Rate –Retention Rate 6

Current vs. Common Measures In General States should continue to ensure success with current measures, while transitioning to a focus on common measures Major difference between the two sets of measures is the lack of ISY exclusion for placement and certificate common measures States should focus on serving ISY who will need program services until graduation/GED attainment –Consistent with new youth vision to serve the neediest youth 7

Reviewing Key Terms and Concepts 8

Reviewing Key Terms/Concepts A participant is an individual who is determined eligible to participate in a program and who receives a service funded by the program in either a physical location or through electronic technologies –An individual must be a participant in order to count in performance calculations –Note: Self-service only does not initiate participation in the WIA youth program Program exit occurs when a participant does not receive a service (funded by the program or a partner) for 90 consecutive days and no future services are scheduled –No more “hard exit” 9

No More “Hard Exit” Translation: An exit cannot be officially recorded until the 90 days has elapsed, but it’s still the last date of service! –Local programs should know when a service is expected to be the last service –Does not mean that the case isn’t “closed” from the case manager’s perspective (in fact, states/locals could have a “case closure” code separate from the “exit” code to make this distinction; if a youth needs additional services beyond follow-up, the case could then be re-opened during this “window”) –Does not mean case managers must wait before providing follow-up services 10

Clarifying Follow-Up Services Youth are required to receive at least 12 months of follow-up services, which are triggered at exit With a “soft exit” approach, do you lose the first 3 months of follow-up? NO Follow-up begins after the expected last service – if only follow-up services are provided for next 90 days, we have an “exit” –However, if youth need additional services, this 90 days provides a “window” to better ensure success (because no official exit was recorded) 11

1.Those specifically excluded by statute –Although this applies to WIA, it applies only to adults and dislocated workers who receive self-service and informational activities only 2.Other Circumstances –Invalid or missing SSN –Institutionalized –Health/Medical or Family Care –Deceased –Reservists called to active duty –For youth only – Relocated to a residential or non-residential program (such as foster care) Excluding Individuals From Performance Calculations 12

Global Exclusion Impacts Exit due to exclusion causes all outcomes to be lost –Participant had a success in the 1 st year and then they were excluded in the 2 nd year Impact – Positive or negative outcome would be lost Relevant to real-time and exit-based outcomes –Impacts – Skill Attainment – new to this measure Literacy or Numeracy measure

Gaps in Service Nomenclature changed from “planned gaps” to “gap” in recognition of the fact that some service interruptions cannot be planned in advance Participants w/ planned gap in service of greater than 90 days should not be exited if gap is due to one of the following: –Delay before beginning of training –Health/medical condition –Temporary move from area that prevents individual from participating (e.g., youth living with another parent over the summer) 14

Data Sources UI Wage Records and supplemental data sources are allowable for the two employment related youth common measures Administrative records (including appropriate assessment instruments) will be the data source for non-employment placements, degree or certificate attainment, and literacy/numeracy 15

Calculating Youth Common Measures 16

Three Youth Common Measures 1.Placement in Employment, Education or Training 2.Attainment of a Degree/Certificate 3.Literacy/Numeracy Gains  NOTE: The measures apply to youth 14-21; no more older/younger distinction! 17

PLACEMENT IN EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION Definition: Of those not in post-secondary education, employment, or the military at participation, the percentage in employment, the military or enrolled in post-secondary education and/or advanced training/occupational skills training in the 1 st quarter after exit 18

PLACEMENT IN EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION Calculation: Of those not employed, in the military, or in post- secondary education at participation… Number of youth employed, in the military or enrolled in post-secondary education and/or advanced training or occupational skills training in the 1 st quarter after exit Number of exiters 19

Highlights of Youth Placement in Employment or Education Excludes youth in employment, the military or post- secondary education at participation Employment, military and education status at participation is based on information collected from the individual Employment and military status in the 1 st quarter after exit is based on wage records (supplemental data allowed) Education status in the 1 st quarter after exit is based on administrative records Youth in secondary school at exit are included, consistent with ETA’s vision to ensure youth successfully complete their secondary education 20

Defining Specific Terms Post-Secondary EducationPost-Secondary Education – a program at an accredited degree-granting institution leading to an academic degree. Programs offered by degree- granting institutions that do not lead to an academic degree (such as certificate programs) do not count as a placement in post-secondary education but may count as a placement in “advanced training/occupational skills training” 21

Defining Specific Terms (cont’d) Advanced Training/Occupational Skills TrainingAdvanced Training/Occupational Skills Training –An organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills leading to proficiency in performing actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate or advanced levels. Such training should: 1) be outcome-oriented and focused on a long-term goal as specified in the ISS, 2) coincide with exit rather than short-term training, and 3) result in attainment of a certificate Much tighter definition! 22

PLACEMENT IN EMPLOYMENT OR EDUCATION Employed, in the military or in post-secondary education at participation? Has a qualifying outcome * in the 1 st quarter after exit? NO YES Excluded YES Numerator Denominator NO Qualifying Outcomes: employment, military, enrolled in post-secondary education, advanced training, or occupational skills training 23

ATTAINMENT OF DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE Definition: Of those enrolled in education at or during participation, the percentage who attained a diploma, GED or certificate by the end of the 3 rd quarter after exit 24

ATTAINMENT OF DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE Calculation: Of those enrolled in education at participation or any time during the program… Number of youth who attained a diploma, GED or certificate by the end of the 3 rd quarter after exit Number of exiters 25

Highlights of Youth Attainment of Degree or Certificate Youth in secondary school at exit are included, which is consistent with ETA’s vision to ensure youth successfully complete their secondary education Diplomas, GEDs or certificates can be obtained during participation or at any point by the end of the 3 rd quarter after exit Work readiness certificates will not be accepted for this measure 26

Defining Specific Terms EducationEducation – participation in secondary or post-secondary school, adult education programs, or any other organized program of study leading to a degree or certificate DiplomaDiploma – any credential accepted by the State educational agency as equivalent to a HS diploma; also includes post- secondary degrees CertificateCertificate – awarded in recognition of an individual’s attainment of technical or occupational skills by specified institutions such as the State educational agency or institution of higher education –Does not include work readiness certificates or certificates awarded by local Boards 27

Certificates: Approved Awarding Institutions A state educational agency, or a state agency responsible for administering vocational and technical education within a state Institution of higher education (including community colleges) A professional, industry, or employer organization or a product manufacturer or developer A registered apprenticeship program A public regulatory agency (e.g., FAA aviation mechanic certification) A program approved by DVA (Veterans’ Affairs) to offer education and training to veterans and other eligible persons under the Montgomery GI Bill Office of Job Corps Institutions of higher education which are formally controlled, or formally sanctioned or chartered by the governing body of an Indian tribe(s) 28

ATTAINMENT OF DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE Enrolled in education at participation or any time during participation? Attained diploma, GED or certificate by the end of the 3 rd quarter after exit? YES NO Excluded YES Numerator Denominator NO 29

LITERACY/NUMERACY GAINS Definition: Of those out of-school youth who are basic skills deficient, the percentage who increase one or more educational functioning levels within one year of participation 30

LITERACY/NUMERACY GAINS Calculation: Of those out-of-school youth who are basic skills deficient… Number of youth participants who increase one or more educational functioning levels Number of youth who completed a year of participation (based on date of 1 st youth service) Number of youth who exit before completing a year of participation + 31

Highlights of Literacy/Numeracy Gains Only common measure that is not exit-based Excludes in-school youth and out-of-school youth who are not basic skills deficient Includes individuals with learning disabilities A positive outcome means the youth must advance one or more Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English as a Second Language (ESL) functioning levels Gains can occur in literacy or numeracy (programs can pre- test at different levels in each category) Educational levels are consistent with Department of Education’s National Reporting System (NRS) 32

About the Assessments All out-of-school youth must be assessed in basic reading, writing and math Pre-testing must occur within 60 days of the first youth program service; can use pre-test from up to six months prior to date of first youth service The same standardized assessment must be used for pre- and post-testing Youth should be post-tested by the end of one year of participation and compared to pre-test results obtained during initial assessment 33

About the Assessments (cont’d) Youth should be post-tested and included in the measure at the completion of the 2 nd year if they complete two years in the program If a youth continues to be basic skills deficient after the first 12 months of participation, they should continue to receive training in literacy and/or numeracy skills NOTE: On the agenda there is a Youth Literacy/Numeracy measure workshop 34

Youth Program Reporting: Implications of the New Youth Vision and Program Design 35

Program Design Implication #1: Long-Term Participation Common Measure outcomes are unlikely to be met unless youth participate for extended periods –In-school younger youth must remain engaged until they graduate or receive a GED and go onto employment or post-secondary education –Out-of-school youth who are basic skills deficient will likely need time to improve one or more EFLs –Summer employment programs that enroll WIA youth for the summer only are unlikely to achieve positive outcomes 36

Long-Term Participation Engagement and Retention Strategies Keeping youth connected to an organization or program –Establishing a sense of self-worth through program participation (e.g., they get paid, receive positive feedback; their contributions matter, etc.) Providing incentives –Opportunities to demonstrate skills to family and peers; field trips and events; stipends, opportunities to serve and lead; supportive services; recognition Youth-centered programs –Youth-friendly intake procedures; interpersonal support in programs from personnel, parents, peers; honesty and authenticity in program (provide what’s promised); culturally competent staff and culturally relevant programs 37

Program Design Implication #2: Network of Services Since long-term participation is needed to achieve outcomes, more than ever, WIA youth must have access to a network of services, not a single program or provider –Strategic case management strategies will be needed to connect youth to multiple programs –Develop short-term attainable goals for youth and youth programs to support long-term positive outcomes 38

Network of Services Strategic Case Management Case management is key –Create and maintain positive relationships with youth; have youth see case manager role as connector to a network of services; use team approach to helping youth 39

Network of Services Short-Term Outcomes For Youth: –Setting intermediate goals (outcomes) helps them see progress, which contributes to engagement and retention Think SMART; Set goals WITH the youth; Make it VISUAL For WIA Youth Programs: –WIA outcomes aren’t appropriate to use as program outcomes for one-year contracts; develop intermediate measures to monitor program success Including participation rates, skill/goal attainment rates Balance outcomes with outputs 40

Program Design Implication #3: Assessment When done well, assessment sets the stage for all future services across programs; when done poorly, it can have a negative impact on individual youth success and youth program success 41

Program Design Implication #3: Assessment Youth friendly assessments –Shorter versions when possible (subtests), pleasant testing environments, don’t send for a test right from the start Tell youth why they are being tested and how test will be used – don’t retest too soon Consider other assessments – style, self- awareness, learning style – remove the high- stakes test pressure 42

Resources ETA’s Office of Workforce Investment Youth Services National Reporting System Special Thanks To: Diana Jackson & Darcie Milazzo LearningWork Connection 43

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