EDUCATION FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

Mary Clagett, Director, National Workforce Policy, Jobs for the Future

The National Fund’s 5th Annual Meeting | Learn. Share. Partner.June 2015

WASHINGTON UPDATE

WIOA & BIDEN REPORT

July 22, 2014

• Enactment of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA); and

• Issuance of Vice President Biden’s “Ready to Work: Job-Driven Training and American Opportunity” Report

JOB-DRIVEN CHECKLIST

Engaging Employers

Earn and Learn

Smart Choices—Better Use of Data to Drive Accountability

Measurement Matters—Measurement of Employment and Earnings

Stepping Stones—Promote Seamless Progressions

Opening Doors—Breaking Down Access to Job-driven Training

Regional Partnerships / Collaborations.

WIOA

• Implements job-driven checklist

• Builds on best practices from current system

• Emphasizes strategic role of workforce system

• Focuses on system alignment vs. consolidation

• Provides additional flexibility for local funding:

– Transfer authority between Adult and Dislocated Worker programs

– Up to 20% for incumbent worker training

– Up to 10% for transitional jobs to establish work history

WIOA

• Increases emphasis on:

– Cross-system alignment, strategic planning, performance measurement, data collection/utilization.

– Regional convening, planning, service delivery.

– Training for high demand industry sectors and occupations.

– Emphasis on LMI to ensure high demand focus.

– Convening, facilitation, and leveraging roles for state and local boards.

WIOA

• Requires connections between Workforce, Adult Education and Postsecondary systems—establishing Career Pathways that integrate basic and/or English language education with occupational training.

• Requires major shift in services for youth (up to age 24) with 75% of youth funding dedicated toward serving out-of-school youth with limited exceptions. 

• Stresses connections to postsecondary education/training and Career Pathways for youth.

• Adds new educational progress measures—encouraging longer term service delivery.

WIOA TIMELINE & PROPOSED RULEMAKING

Comments on NPRMs June 15, 2015

WIOA Effective Date July 1, 2015

Final Regs Expected January 2016

State Plans Due March 2016

State Plans & Performance Implemented July 1, 2016

HIGHER EDUCATION ACT

Pell GrantsWIA AdultTAA (E&T)WIA DWWIA YouthVRESWIFTANF (13)SNAP (13)Adult EdCTE

Federal student aid, authorized under title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA), far surpasses funding for training under WIA and other federal workforce training programs combined.

* Pell Grants for students age 24 and older shown in blue

HEA MAJOR ISSUES

Alexander/Murray Work Groups:

• Accountability

• Accreditation

• Affordability & Financial Aid

• Campus Sexual Assault & Safety

HEA MAJOR ISSUES—INTERSECTION WITH WORKFORCE

• Accountability Outcomes

• Accreditation Transparency, Quality Assurances

• Student Aid Flexibility (e.g., Competency-Based, Alternative Scheduling, Non-traditional Students)

• Relevance and Work-Based Learning

• System Alignment

• Innovation and Evidence

PARTIAL RESTORATION OF ATB

• FY 2015 “CROmnibus” Appropriations partially restored the Ability to Benefit (ATB) provisions of the Higher Education Act

• Will allow students without a HS diploma or equivalent, who are enrolled in “eligible Career Pathway programs,” to be determined eligible for Pell grants if they either pass an approved test or successfully complete 6 hours of college credit.

• Department of Education guidance letter issued May 22—on ED’s IFAP website (http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN1509.html).

PARTIAL RESTORATION OF ATB (CONTINUED)

Clarification on several important points:

• Identification of approved methods for determining ATB eligibility;

• Clarification regarding retroactive implementation of the reinstated provisions;

• Guidance for determining what is an “eligible career pathway program” for determining a student’s eligibility.

ELIGIBLE CAREER PATHWAY PROGRAM

• Concurrently enrolled in adult education & postsecondary programs

• Provides students with counseling & supportive services

• Provides structured course sequences that—are articulated, contextualized, and advance to higher levels of education and employment

• Provides opportunities for acceleration to credentials

• Organized to meet adults needs

• Aligned with skill needs of regional economies

• Developed/implemented in collaboration with business, workforce, and economic development

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MARY CLAGETTmclagett@jff.org