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Plan: Maine PYs 2016-2017
Unified Plan U

Section: WIOA State Plan Common Elements

Narrative: III. b. 6. A. iv.

Published
Located in:
  • III. Operational Planning Elements
    The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an Operational Planning Elements section that support the State’s strategy and the system-wide vision described in Section II.(c) above. Unless otherwise noted, all Operational Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs. This section must include—
    • b. State Operating Systems and Policies
      The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a description of the State operating systems and policies that will support the implementation of the State strategy described in Section II Strategic Elements . This includes—
      • 6. Program Data
        • A. Data Alignment and Integration
          Describe the plans of the lead State agencies with responsibility for the administration of the core programs, along with the State Board, to align and integrate available workforce and education data systems for the core programs, unemployment insurance programs, and education through postsecondary education, and to the extent possible, the Combined State Plan partner programs included in this plan. The description of the State’s plan for integrating data systems should include the State’s goals for achieving integration and any progress to date.

III. b. 6. A. iv. Describe the State’s Plans to Develop and Produce the Reports Required Under Section 116, Performance Accountability System. (wioa Section 116(d)(2)).

Current Narrative:

DESCRIBE THE STATE’S PLANS TO DEVELOP REPORTS REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 116, PER–FORMANCE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM Section 116 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act outlines the required reporting parameters for core partners. Currently, all core partners are collecting and reporting many similar performance measures by using the Unemployment Insurance (UI) database through the Maine Department of Labor. Employment data is obtained through a data match using participant social security numbers for all core partners, except the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services. However, since the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services is housed under the Department of Labor, employment performance measures will also be able to be obtained through a Social Security data match using the same Department of Labor UI database. The same can be said for median wage reporting requirements. Although median earnings are not currently being reported by any core program, median wage data is collected through the UI database, and as such the core programs will be able to report median earnings using the UI database once the definitions and reporting regulations are agreed to and finalized. Some performance measures regarding credential attainment are currently collected by Adult Education, the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, and Title I Youth Services programs. Credential attainment for secondary school diplomas and high school equivalency will be obtained by accessing Adult Education’s high school equivalency data to track credential attainment for the agencies with this requirement. Postsecondary enrollment information is currently obtained for adult education using the National Student Clearinghouse through the Department of Education to conduct a data match. Unfortunately, the credential data in its current state is incomplete and unable to meet the requirements of section 116 as it currently exists. Although the National Student Clearinghouse is a useful tool for tracking postsecondary enrollment, the database is not currently being used to track successful postsecondary completion nor does it include all recognized postsecondary education or training programs–two required data elements from section 116 of WIOA. To enable core programs to collect and report this required data, the WIOA Data workgroup is researching other available resources and examining ways several data sets may be able to be combined to compile the data necessary for the required performance measures. The core partners are also exploring ways to align the Department of Labor’s expanded Workforce Data Quality Initiative (WDQI) with the new data requirements under WIOA. Measurable skill gains are currently collected and reported for Adult Education using the federally approved CASAS assessment for the pre–and–post testing of participants. Once measurable skill gains are defined and assessments are created that meet the federal guidelines, adult education will adopt and implement pre–and–post testing with the new assessment to measure participant skill gains. Through the use of technology, core partners intend to coordinate and align measurable skills assessment by implementing one assessment tool that can be used by all partners. For example, use of the eCASAS assessments by all local Adult Education programs, one–stops, and other eligible training providers will enable the core partners to share the assessment data and meet reporting requirements. None of the core partners are currently measuring or reporting indicators of effectiveness in serving employers. The core partners have agreed upon the need for both qualitative and quantitative measures. Once effectiveness has been defined and indicators of effectiveness have been identified, the core partners are committed to collecting and reporting the required measures.