Advance CTE is thrilled to announce the Strengthening the Culture of Data Use in Postsecondary Career Technical Education (CTE) Initiative, building on the success and lessons learned from our Advancing Postsecondary Data Initiative. Through this initiative, a select cohort of four states will receive personalized support through technical assistance, funding and access to a national peer learning network to improve the quality and use of postsecondary CTE data.
Participating states will receive technical assistance focused on building internal capacity to achieve progress in one of three focus areas related to the Career Readiness Data Quality & Use Policy Benchmark Tool:
- Clarify or create new postsecondary CTE data elements, linkages and/or business rules
- Develop learner-centered data through stakeholder engagement processes
- Improve postsecondary CTE data communications and use
By targeting these specific areas, states will demonstrate measurable impacts on the quality and use of the postsecondary CTE data, according to Advance CTE’s Data Quality Theory of Action.
Participants will also have the exciting opportunity to:
- Receive support/implementation of an action plan
- Participate in monthly coaching (via a dedicated coach from Advance CTE)
- Participate in virtual learning events, such as Ask the Expert sessions and/or webinars to share proof points and strategies with a national audience
- Form peer-to-peer connections
- Receive resources, tools and research support
- Engage in six quarterly virtual community of practice sessions (open to all states) to discuss common challenges and solutions among a group of national peers
- Have access to subject matter experts
- Receive funding to support the development and execution of the action plan
Objectives
Through this initiative, selected states will:
- Increase the efficiency and efficacy of accountability and reporting activities
- Better understand postsecondary CTE learners and the supports they need to be successful
- Implement programmatic changes to boost learner outcomes
Audience
Preferred applicants should compose state teams of 4-6 individuals, including leadership in partner agencies. Applicants should have the consent and recommendation of their State CTE Director (if the State CTE Director is not applying).
Funding
Selected states will be awarded a total of $40,000 in two installments over 20 months.
Timeline
Overall: September 2023–April 2025
Starting in September 2023, state teams will meet monthly with their assigned coach to share updates on the progress of their projects and receive ongoing TA and support. The dates, times and topics for community of practice calls will be determined by scheduling polls for the group to ensure availability to participate.
Deadline
Applications are due June 23, 2023. Please download, complete and submit the application as a Microsoft Word document to Dr. Laura Maldonado (lmaldonado@careertech.org).
Next Steps
- Please contact Laura Maldonado, Senior Research Associate at Advance CTE, (lmaldonado@careertech.org) for more information.
- Register and attend an office hour on June 9 or June 12, 2023.
- Complete the application by June 23, 2023.
- Advance CTE will select up to four states in mid-August 2023.
