Located in:
- III. Operational Planning ElementsThe 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 PoliciesThe 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—
- b. State Operating Systems and Policies
III. b. 4. D. Evaluation
Current Narrative:
The Colorado State Legislature is considering legislation to create a Results First Working Group to examine ways to build program evaluation capacity for state and local programs. If enacted, it will establish common definitions, policies, and guidelines for the evaluation of state-funded programs. CDLE/WDP will utilize these to the extent practicable in the implementation, delivery and evaluation of federal employment and training programs, and coordinate these activities with federal requirements, including evaluation activities conducted by the Secretary of Labor under WIOA. Colorado will use the results of state and federal evaluations to improve and enhance service delivery.
The use of evidence-based practices (EBT) will be problematic because there are a limited number of evidence-based practices in the field of workforce development, and the ones that currently exist may be difficult to implement with fidelity in Colorado. Colorado will therefore, utilize existing evidence-based practices only to the extent that they are feasible to implement, but will actively encourage the use and development of promising and theory-based practices that may eventually become evidence-based practices.
CDLE/WDP will:
(1) Review existing program evaluation tools and processes
(2) Work with its partner agencies to determine whether additional resources are required, and develop additional methods to evaluate existing data
(3) Develop policies and guidance on how to identify and evaluate potential promising practices, and use evaluation as part of process improvement
(4) Require the use of logic models and outcome measures as part of the development of new projects and proposals
(5) Share information regarding promising practices identified through these activities with the appropriate state or federal entity for further evaluation to determine whether it might be an evidence-based practice
(6) Work with the CWDC, local workforce development boards and state partner agencies to develop and use quasi-research methods to evaluate the effectiveness of core programs and new initiatives, to the extent practicable and within the constraints of existing resources.
CDLE/WDP will continue to utilize existing methods for program evaluation, such as annual compliance monitoring and data validation, routine tracking of state and local performance and expenditures, and look for ways to incorporate additional outcome measures. CDLE/WDP will work with its state partners to develop training in evaluation techniques for staff and foster a culture of informed inquiry. CDLE/WDP will also work with the local workforce areas to build capacity, and encourage the development and use of additional outcome measures and program evaluation as part of the selection and oversight processes for contracted workforce center operations.