Washington State and The Alliance for Quality Career Pathway (AQCP)

1. Washington State and The Alliance for Quality Career Pathway (AQCP) Review of AQCP Beta Framework WEC 10/24/2013

2. The Alliance for Quality Career Pathways The goal is to provide a common understanding of high-quality career pathway systems and programs, regardless of the targeted industry, occupation, or credentials; the targeted population; or the design of the career pathways or programs. The final product will be a customizable framework of criteria, indicators, metrics and a self-assessment tool that can be used to • Enhance the quality of existing career pathway efforts • Develop high-quality new career pathway efforts; and • Inform evaluation(s) of career pathway efforts.

3. The Alliance for Quality Career Pathways • National effort funded by the Joyce Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation; CLASP is the lead and facilitator • 10 Alliance States: AR, CA, IL, KY, MA, MN, OR, VA, WA, WI • National Advisory Group of ~15 national organizations and experts including NYEC, JFF, NSC, CORD, CEWD, Working Poor Families Project, Abt Associates, ConnectEd, and adult education and CTE state directors. • Reporting to interagency team of federal agencies: DOL ETA, DOE OVAE, HHS, DOT and National Governors Association

4. CP Alliance Teams CP Alliance Traveling Team • Tina Bloomer, Policy Research Associate, SBCTC • Jon Kerr, Adult Basic Education Director, SBCTC • Paula Boyum, VP of Economic and Workforce Development, Bellevue College • Rod Taylor, Associate Dean for Technical Education, Spokane Community College CP Alliance Home Team • In formation • Representatives of WDC’s, WTECB, CTC’s

5. Two Parts of the Framework: Criteria/Indicators + Metrics

6. Working Definition of “Career Pathways” Career Pathways: An aligned education and employment system approach to connecting progressive levels of basic skills and postsecondary education, training, and support services in specific sectors or occupations in a way that optimizes the progress and success of individuals – including those with limited skills and experiences – in securing marketable credentials, family-supporting employment, and further education and employment opportunities.

8. Framework Field Testing and Review 10 states are “field testing” the beta framework by • Mapping metrics to career pathways and identifying necessary reporting systems and data elements • Conducting test data runs using the AQCP beta metrics • Identifying the utility and uses of the AQCP framework

9. Key Criteria for Quality Career Pathways • Partner commitment to shared vision & strategy • Engagement of employers & labor partners • Partners identify and provide resources • Implementation of supportive policies • Adoption of evidence-based best practices • Use data and shared measures

10. Sample Criteria & Indicators • Criteria: local/regional partners engage multiple employers and labor partners to support, shape and utilize the career pathways system • Indicators: • Employer and labor partners jointly develop career pathways programs with public and non-profit partners to ensure that the local/regional partnership is attuned to industry demand • Employers and labor partners support participant involvement and progression in career pathways through their policies and practices

11. Sample Interim Education & Training Metrics • % participants who gain one or more educational levels • % of participants who completed a college level math or English course completion • % participants who accumulated 12 semester or 15 quarterly college courses in pathway coursework

12. Sample Outcome Metrics • % participants who obtained an occupational license, industry certification or apprenticeship • % exiters who are employed in the first full quarter after pathway exit

13. WA State Review of Framework • Oct. 21 review session of framework & metrics • SBCTC CEOs of Seattle and Spokane WDCs • WTECB • OSPI • CTC’s • Input will be sent to CLASP as part of beta review

14. State Uses of Framework • Minnesota’s most recent RFP for FastTRAC career pathway bridge grantees includes a requirement that the grantees self-assess their career pathway systems using the AQCP criteria for local/regional systems. CLASP will be working with the state agency folks on what this will look like in practice for the grantees. • Illinois has included the AQCP metrics in their WDQI (Workforce Data Quality Initiative) set of metrics. This initiative spans across several state agencies; since the AQCP CP beta metrics do as well, this was a great fit. • A major metropolitan region is interested in using the framework as a strategic planning document for their policy agenda. This is exciting because this would expand the use of the framework from simply criteria/indicators for self-evaluation into a strategic planning document.

15. Key Considerations • Would the AQCP framework have value to the national career pathway efforts? • Would this tool be of value to Washington State’s career pathway initiatives? • Would there be value in customizing it and implementing it as a state? • If so, what are the next steps to implementation in Washington?

16. Potential Implications for States/CTCs • Integrated into federal/state/local grants and funding • Expanded performance based funding • Increased requirements to work with partners • Increase need for improved data systems

17. Engagement of WEC - suggested next steps: • WEC Career Pathways committee review of input from WA State home team and others as determined and draft recommendations on implementation of AQCP framework in WA State CTC’s • Survey WEC membership for input • Submit recommendations to Instruction Commission/SBCTC

18. Questions