Performance Measurement & Management for Next-Generation Workforce Systems

Christopher T. King

National Governors Association Workforce Policy ForumWashington, DCDecember 2002

Workforce Accountability Eras

• Emergence & Expansion, 1978 - 1992

• Cross-Program & Business Application, 1993 - present

• Next Generation, 2003 - ?

The Current Framework

• MAJOR PROGRAMS: WIA, Adult Ed & Literacy, Perkins III

• PROGRESS: consistency, cross-program rewards, market mechanisms, customer satisfaction

• CHALLENGES: ‘silos’; employer & systems measures; data collection, reporting, & sharing; LMI

Changing Context

• Contingent, temporary work

• Technological advances

• Demands for timely information

• Policy & program devolution & greater local accountability

• More knowledgeable, demanding public

… Competing Paradigms

• Public Administration (Wilson, Weber & Taylor, circa 1900)

• 360-Degree Feedback & ‘Answerability’ (Behn, 2001)

• Market-Based (Sheets, 2002 & others)

Next-Generation Requirements

• Greater market & systems orientation

• Recognized, portable credentials

• Improved learning outcome measures

• Independent accreditation and certification

… More Requirements

• Enhanced labor market information

• Scalable outcome measures: individual, institutional, corporate, system (*recent OMB action*)

• Links to leading global, national, state & industry skill standards

Recommended State Strategies

• Expanded use of workforce & education ‘flex’ authority

• Enhanced Balanced Scorecard Approach with market elements

• Specific action steps; e.g., recognized, portable credentials, systemic incentives, learning outcome measures.

For More Information

Chris King512-471-2186ctking@uts.cc.utexas.edu