WED 466: Unit 5

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WED 466 Unit 5

• Legislative Foundations
• of Workforce Education

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General Objective

• Understands the legislative foundations of
  workforce education.

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Public Policy

• decisions made by governing bodies or public
  officials, the intent being to create a public
  benefit (Gray Herr, 1998, p. 239).
• Gray, K.E., Herr, E.L. (1998). Workforce
  Education The Basics. Boston, MA Allyn Bacon.

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Public Policy Characteristics

• Exists within public domain.
• Intended to create public good will.
• Reflects society values.
• Involves multiple parties and perspectives.
• Has unpredictable results.

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Workforce Education Policy
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Types of Workforce Education Policies

• Workforce Development Policy
• Federal Policies to Promote Individual
  Opportunity
• Block Grants

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How do I analyze public policy?
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Policy Analysis Process

• Define the problem.
• Identify the causes.
• Define the desired outcome.
• Identify multiple constituency perspectives.
• Identify criteria to evaluate alternatives.
• Develop policy alternatives.
• Analyze policy alternatives.
• Implement.
• Evaluate.

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Workforce Education in the Public Sector
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Changes in Public Policy

• Funding Mechanisms Block Grants
• National Skill Standards

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High School Workforce Education

• Declining enrollments
• Changing demographics
• Special needs students
• Curriculum reform
• Focus on effectiveness
• Preparation of educators
• Professional teaching standards

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Community College and Technical Education

• Preparation for
• Employment
• Transfer to baccalaureate program
• Enrollment
• General transfer
• Reverse Transfer
• Technical
• Remediation
• Curriculum Issues
• Funding Issues

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State and Federal Employment and Training

• Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA)
• Mission
• Individual Opportunity
• World-Class Workforce
• Employment and Training Programs
• One Stop Approach
• Vouchers for Training
• Focus on Effectiveness

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Private Sector Workforce Education
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Career Colleges and Institutes

• Proprietary Schools
• Provide more than half of all vocational or
  technical education
• Have a higher completion rate

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Assessment Methods

• Outcomes Assessment
• Performance Assessment
• Value-added Assessment
• Implementation Assessment

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Summary

• Workforce education policy is funded by state and
  local funds and is particularly sensitive and
  vulnerable.
• Workforce education practitioners
• need to acquire skills required to analyze,
  implement, and suggest public policy.
• should understand issues of mission, enrollment,
  curriculum design, funding, assessment, and the
  preparation of new professionals.
• Should take an active role in debates regarding
  assessment techniques and criteria.