Lessons Learned from the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence:

Focus on Labor Market Outcomes

April 23, 2012

Introduction to the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Definition of Excellence

Labor Market Outcomes Data Gathering and UseWhy do Labor Market Outcomes Matter?How did Aspen Collect Labor Market Outcomes Data?Lessons Learned from the Aspen Prize John Dorrer, Jobs for the Future Barbara Veazey, West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Agenda

The Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

Announced at the White House Community College Summit in October 2010.

Funded by America Achieves, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Joyce Foundation , JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Designed to change the way community colleges are understood, by honoring excellence, stimulating innovation, defining success, and contributing to policy reform.

Awarded in December 2011 to the winner, Valencia College (FL), and four finalists-with-distinction, Lake Area Technical Institute (SD), Miami Dade College (FL), Walla Walla Community College (WA), and West Kentucky Community and Technical College (KY).

Definition of Excellence

Completion Outcomes: Institutional practices and policies leading to frequent completion of associate’s degrees, credentials of at least one year in duration, and/or transfer to four-year colleges.

Learning Outcomes: Institutional practices and policies that result in strong and improving levels of student learning in courses, within programs, and college-wide level.

Labor Market Outcomes: Institutional practices and policies aligned with labor market needs and student labor market success, resulting in high rates of employment and earnings for graduates.

Equitable Outcomes: Institutional practices and policies that ensure access and success among students who are often under-served, including those from three underrepresented racial/ethnic groups—African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American—and students from low-income backgrounds.

Labor Market Outcomes – Why They Matter

Supply Not Keeping Pace with Demand. Between 1990 and 2010: Demand for college-educated workers has been growing at 2% annually Supply of those workers increased by only 1.5% annually

Shortage Projected to Continue. By 2025, U.S. will need to add 20 million post-secondary-educated workers to meet demand 8 million projected under current trends

Can Provide Unique Information Program alignment with regional economic needs Program quality

Source: Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

Labor Market Outcomes- Aspen Prize Data

Round 2 (120 institutions)•Evidence of labor market data collection/use•Descriptions of practices to improve labor market outcomes•New: Description of what institution provides to workers in the areas of non-credit workforce courses and industry-recognized credentials, and how institution engages employers in non-credit workforce course design

Round 3 (10 institutions)•Two-day site visits to 10 finalist institutions•Analysis state labor market data on employment rates and earnings for graduating classes of 2005 and 2010 (John Dorrer)•See next slide for data collected

Labor Market Outcomes Summary Table

Labor Market Outcomes – Lessons Learned

How to Improve Labor Market Outcomes President Steve VanAusdle, Walla Walla Community College (2010 graduates from Walla

Walla had highest average wages among 10 finalists relative to regional new hires (260%)) President Deb Shephard , Lake Area Technical Institute (Highest graduates’ employment

rates among 10 finalist community colleges) President Barbara Veazey, West Kentucky Community and Technical Institute (Strong

relationships with employers and involvement with regional economic development initiatives)

Data State level employment and earnings data can be gathered Issues to increase use:

o Make it easier for institutions to access – onerous data collection requirementso Increase awareness at institutional level outside of career tech programs

Labor Market Outcomes- Quantitative Data

Linking Student Records with Post Graduate Employment, Earnings, Education and Military Status: Comprehensive Follow-Up

State Unemployment Insurance Wage Records

Wage Records Interchange System (WRIS)

Federal Employment Data Exchange System

National Student Clearing House

Southern Maine Community College

WRIS2 Data Sharing Agreement Status

West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Arts at WKCTC

Marine Technology at WKCTC

High Bay Area at WKCTC

Nursing at WKCTC