Using WDQI Databases to Develop & Improve Consumer Report Card Systems

About

Over the past 40 years, large, individual-level, administrative databases have increasingly been used to monitor the outcomes of employment/training, post-secondary education, and related social programs. More recently, there has been particular interest in the use of longitudinal administrative data systems to measure and report on program outcomes for education and training providers, whether or not they receive Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funding.

Consumer Report Card Systems (CRCSs) are state systems for calculating program outcomes based on labor market data (e.g., employment, retention, and earnings) for those individuals participating in education/training programs. For the public, these systems provide program outcomes and other program information on an easy-to-use website that allows users to compare programs and identify those that are best for them. In this regard, CRCSs play an important role in supporting the emphasis on consumer choice that is part of WIA.

In combination with state Eligible Training Provider Lists (ETPLs), which identify programs that show sufficiently positive results that they are deemed eligible to receive federal training dollars, CRCSs offer the potential to improve the choices that prospective education/training participants make, resulting in improved employment and earnings outcomes for trainees. Further, CRCSs can provide policy makers with useful information with which to make workforce investment decisions.

With contributions from WDQI Grantees:

Dwayne Whitfield, Florida

Kelly Ebey and Sachin Chintawar, Louisiana

David Stevens, Maryland

Marilyn Boyle, Massachusetts

Teri Fritsma, Deb Serum, and Nancy Jacobsen, Minnesota

Alan Spell and Sue Seig, Missouri

Mary Findlay, Nebraska

Mike Fischer, North Dakota

Aaron Fichtner, Bill Mabe, and Carl Van Horn of New Jersey

Keith Ewald, Josh Hawley, and Tracy Intihar, Ohio

Wendy Kang, Virginia

Tara Smith and Catherine Bingle, Texas

David Pavelchek, Washington

Materials

Using Workforce Data Quality Initiative Databases to Develop and Improve Consumer Report Card Systems [pdf, 2.2MB]

Comments

Content Details

Topics:

Real-Time Data Labor Market Workforce Information - General Reporting Performance Data

Target Populations:

General Audience

Programs:

Non-Program Specific

Geographic Locations:

National Scope

Industry Sectors:

Cross-Industry

Last Updated:
Created:
Resource Publication Date: 2014
Author(s): Davis, S., Jacobson, L. and Stephen Wandner
Organizational Author(s): IMPAQ International, New Horizons Economic Research, and Urban Institute
Posted by: Trace Elms
Posted in: Workforce Data Quality Initiative