Data is a powerful tool that allows state leaders to investigate barriers to access and take action to ensure equity, access and success across CTE programming. It takes a comprehensive approach to improve career readiness data quality, one that considers the full career readiness data ecosystem and equips each learner to make informed decisions about their education and career goals.
This Policy Benchmark Tool is a comprehensive resource designed to assist state leaders in strengthening the quality and use of career readiness data. It provides a roadmap for understanding the six elements of a high-quality career readiness data ecosystem. The Policy Benchmark Tool is embedded in a comprehensive microsite, which includes:
- A needs assessment to evaluate policy and practice at the state or system level;
- A strategic action plan template that builds on the needs assessment results to help state leaders articuate a clear vision for the effective collection and use of data and address their most pressing data quality challenges;
- Case studies highlighting best practices across six states in their effort to improve data quality;
- A resource repository with tools, templates and models to help state leaders implement their action plans.
The resource was developed with funding and support from JPMorgan Chase & Co., through the New Skills ready network, as well as the ECMC Foundation, through the Advancing Postsecondary CTE Data Quality Initiative.
