Program Reporting and Record Keeping Information
The following reporting information includes timelines and links to reporting formats for the Workforce Investment Act, Wagner-Peyser, Jobs for Veterans Act, National Farmworker Jobs Program, Trade Adjustment Assistance and the PY 2008 High Growth And Community-Based Job Training Grants.
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Q and A on NRS Approved Tests |
A. Are there certain tests (used to assess literacy and numeracy gains in the WIA Youth Program) determined suitable for use in the National Reporting System that are expiring? ETA would like states and local areas to be aware of the Federal Register Notice (FRN), Tests Determined To Be Suitable for Use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education, posted on Monday, August 6, 2012, by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The FRN can be found at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-06/pdf/2012-19143.pdf. The Notice reminds people that a number of tests approved by the National Reporting System (NRS) may expire on February 2, 2013. It explains that the Secretary of Education will allow States a period of time to sunset an expiring test and transition to other tests suitable for use in the NRS. States may use the transition period to select new tests, purchase appropriate inventories of assessment materials, and provide training to staff. Specifically, tests with three-year NRS approvals expiring on February 2, 2013, may continue to be used during a transition period ending on June 30, 2014.
It is possible for tests that were granted the initial three year authorization to provide additional information to ED in order to extend their approval. This NRS assessment review process begins each year on October 1. Which tests will be submitted or whether they will be determined suitable for use in the NRS is unknown. States and local areas should review this FRN and if states and/or local areas are concerned about tests expiring, they can contact the test publisher for more information. |
Credential/Certificate |
A1. How should the workforce system account for work readiness certifications? ETA considers work readiness training and assessment to be intensive services, similar to other skill assessment and educational remediation services offered through the public workforce system. According to TEGL 17-05, and more recently in TEGL 15-10, ETA has clearly stated that work readiness certificates do not count for the purposes of the credential attainment rate measure. ETA recognizes that work readiness skills are valued by employers and can help job seekers secure and retain employment and we encourage public workforce agencies to ensure that job seekers are work ready. However, the focus of our credential definition is on attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills. The type of skills documented in work readiness certificates are foundational for many careers, rather than being technical preparation for any specific career. For these reasons, a work readiness certificate, while valuable, is not equivalent to an occupation-specific certificate or degree or to a personnel certification. A2. Does a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate or a Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certificate count towards the Attainment of a Degree or Certificate WIA Performance measure? ETA has received requests to provide specific guidance related to whether or not a CPR or an OSHA certificate counts for the Attainment of a Degree or Certificate WIA Performance measure. While ETA does not typically specify which credentials count and which credentials do not count toward this measure, it is providing clarification for these two specific credentials given the high volume of questions. The CPR certificate and the OSHA certificate do not count for the degree/certificate measure as they do not meet ETA's intent of its credential definition. By definition (found in Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 17-05, Attachment B and further clarified in TEGL 15-10), a credential must be awarded in "recognition of an individual's attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation." While a CPR or an OSHA training may provide benefit to participants as they begin to gain general knowledge about occupations and occupational standards, participants are unlikely to gain employment or advance within an occupation based solely upon receiving a CPR or an OSHA certificate. It is important to note that the goal of the Attainment of a Degree or Certificate WIA Performance measure is not simply to increase the number of credentials attained by participants; the credential should ultimately help participants gain employment or advance within an occupation as a result of attaining occupational credentials. Additionally, while they do not count towards the credential measure, WIA funds can pay for CPR and OSHA training if such training is relevant to the design of the individual's service plan.
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American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA): |
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