1. The Alliance for Quality Career Pathways A Complete “Beta” Framework of System Criteria, Quality Indicators, and Participant Metrics Presentation for Wisconsin December 10, 2013

2. Recent Federal Support for [Adult] Career Pathways Grants Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HHS, 2010) Workforce Innovation Fund and TAACCCT (rounds I-III) grants (DOL, 2012-2013) Advancing Career and Technical Education in State and Local Career Pathway Systems (OVAE, 2012) Technical Assistance to Build State Career Pathway Systems (OVAE, 2013) Guidance and TA Federal Career Pathways Institute (DOL and ED, 2010-2011) Joint letter of commitment to promote use of career pathways (DOL, ED, and HHS, April 2012) Evaluation ISIS evaluation of career pathway programs (HHS, launched in late 2007; 10 year initiative) HPOG evaluations (HHS) Looking forward Round IV of TAACCCT $8b Community College to Career Fund in the President’s FY14 budget $12.5b Pathways Back to Work in the President’s FY14 budget All indications are that the federal government will continue to support and promote career pathways 2

3. State and Foundation Support for Career Pathways ~11 have explored or adopted career pathways for educationally underprepared adults and youth –AR, CA, KY, IL, MA, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA and WI ~13 have explored or adopted career pathway bridges – IL, IN, KY, KS, LA, MD, MN, NC, OH, OR, VA, WA, and WI Several states have explored or adopted career pathways for high school-to-college Major national initiatives including: Ford Bridges to Opportunity NGA Pathways to Advancement Breaking Through Shifting Gears Accelerating Opportunity 3

4. The Alliance for Quality Career Pathways 10 state alliance –Arkansas, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin The goal of AQCP is to identify a framework that defines high-quality sector-based career pathway systems including: –Shared set of metrics for measuring and managing participant success –System criteria and quality indicators CLASP is the lead and facilitator Funded by the Joyce Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation 4

5. The Alliance for Quality Career Pathways (cont.) The final products of AQCP will be: (1) a customizable framework of career pathway participant metrics, system criteria, and quality indicators; and (2) a self-assessment tool that can be used to: –Enhance quality of existing sector-based career pathway systems; –Build new sector-based career pathway systems more efficiently and effectively; and –Inform evaluation(s) of sector-based career pathway systems. Feedback through Dec. 2013; final framework spring 2014 5

6. Overview – Alliance Beta Framework: Three Parts 1.Definitions and conceptual model a.Career pathway approach b.Local/regional sector-based career pathway systems (inclusive of sector/occupational career pathways and career pathway programs) c.State sector-based career pathway systems 2.Career pathway participant metrics a.Includes interim, credential, and labor market outcomes b.For shared performance measurement and/or continuous improvement 3.System criteria and quality indicators a.For State sector-based career pathway systems b.For Local/Regional sector-based career pathway systems 6

7. Career Pathways Approach (working definition) An approach to connecting progressive levels of basic skills and postsecondary education, training, and supportive services… –in specific sectors or cross-sector occupations –in a way that optimizes the progress and success of individuals – including those with limited education, English, skills, and/or work experience –in helping individual secure marketable credentials, family- supporting employment, and further education and employment opportunities Career pathways help employers meet their workforce needs and help states and communities strengthen their workforces and economies. 7

8. Sector-Focused Career Pathway 8 1. Well-connected education and training offerings; often delivered via multiple linked and aligned programs 3. Multiple exit points at successively higher levels of family supporting employment and aligned with subsequent entry points 2. Multiple entry points/on- ramps including for those with limited education, English, skills, and work experiences, i.e., bridge programs Increasing skills, competencies, and credentials bridge(s) e.g., industry certificate Good Job Good Job Good Job informed by industry/employers e.g., career and technical ed e.g., one-year credential e.g., 2-year degree e.g., 4-year degree e.g., military transition e.g., ABE/ pre-college e.g., incumbent worker e.g., corrections Good Job

9. Career Pathway Programs Four key elements: Participant-focused instruction and training Appropriate and meaningful assessment Supportive services and career navigation Direct connections to employment 9

10. Sector-based Career Pathway Systems 10

11. The “Heart” of Sector-based Career Pathway Systems: 11 Career Pathways and Programs

12. 12 Career Pathways and Programs

13. 13 Local/Regional Career Pathway System* * Partnerships Follow Guiding Principles: Shared vision and strategy Leadership and commitment to CPs Demand- driven/employer engagement Aligned policies, measures, and funding Use data and promote continuous improvement Enhance partner capacity Career Pathways and Programs

14. 14 Local/Regional Career Pathway System* * Partnerships Follow Guiding Principles: Shared vision and strategy Leadership and commitment to CPs Demand- driven/employer engagement Aligned policies, measures, and funding Use data and promote continuous improvement Enhance partner capacity State Career Pathway System* Career Pathways and Programs

15. 15 Local/Regional Career Pathway System* State Career Pathway System* Federal Agencies * Partnerships Follow Guiding Principles: Shared vision and strategy Leadership and commitment to CPs Demand- driven/employer engagement Aligned policies, measures, and funding Use data and promote continuous improvement Enhance partner capacity Career Pathways and Programs

16. AQCP Career Pathway Participant Metrics A comprehensive set of career pathway participant metrics will support: –Performance measurement of pathway programs and systems; –Focus on reducing disincentives to serve underprepared and lower skilled participants. –Continuous improvement of pathway programs and systems; –Shared performance accountability framework; –Evaluation of career pathway system impacts on participants. 16

17. AQCP “Beta” Career Pathway Participant Metrics 17 A.Interim Education and Training Outcomes e.g., skill level gain; attainment of high school diploma or GED B.Pathway Education and Training Outcomes e.g., attain certificate or degree C.Labor Market Outcomes e.g., employment, retention, wage gain Note: Not all pathways will use all metrics…it depends on the pathway design.

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19. “Beta” Criteria for High-Quality CP Systems STATE 1.Commit to a shared vision and strategy (6 indicators) 2.Provide resources (3 indicators) 3.Implement supportive state policies (4 indicators) 4.Use data and shared measures (7 indicators) LOCAL/REGIONAL 1.Commit to a shared vision and strategy (3 indicators) 2.Engage employers (2 indicators) 3.Provide resources (3 indicators) 4.Implement supportive local/regional policies (8 indicators) 5.Adopt evidenced-based practices (4 indicators) 6.Use data and shared measures (7 indicators) 19

20. AQCP Next Steps July-December 2013: Alliance states review and field-test framework; CLASP seek feedback outside Alliance Winter 2014: CLASP and Alliance partners incorporate feedback Spring 2014: CLASP and Alliance partners release “Version 1.0” of framework and self-assessment tool Future: States and Local/Regional partnerships use AQCP framework and tool to continuously assess progress toward high-quality career pathway systems 20

21. Discussion Do you have any clarifying questions? Does this description of sector-based career pathways, programs and systems resonate with your understanding of them? In general, what should we keep in mind as we work with our Alliance partners to develop a framework that defines high-quality career pathways and systems? 21

22. Thank you! Vickie Choitz Senior Policy Analyst and Director of the Alliance for Quality Career Pathways CLASP vchoitz@clasp.org Neil Ridley Senior Policy Analyst CLASP nridley@clasp.org 22