In recent years, work-based learning (WBL) has grown exponentially as an educational focus across the country with an expanded interest in providing access to hands-on work experiences for all learners, a vital element to ensuring equitable outcomes in programming. Advance CTE wanted to build upon the success of the Opportunity Gap Analysis workshop to empower state Career Technical Education (CTE) leaders to cultivate data literacy through maximizing collection, analysis, and use of data in identifying gaps and improving learner outcomes in WBL programs. 

The Opportunity Gap Analysis: Work-based Learning initiative consists of several stages of professional development: two half-day workshops delivered by Advance CTE; ongoing technical assistance including a community of practice and individual coaching; and access to a suite of tools including a dashboard template, workbook, facilitation guide, practical strategies for addressing specific opportunity gaps within WBL programs and more. Through this support, participants not only develop technical data literacy skills, but also work to define WBL in their state, establish the continuum learners will follow through the education system, and explore common practices associated with WBL accountability system and reporting. State leaders are empowered to not only use these tools themselves, but to train other state and local CTE leaders to utilize strategies and tools gained in their own institutions through a train-the-trainer model. 

This new tool is part of a suite of tools, resources, and training opportunities developed by Advance CTE to support the field at every stage of their equity journey to ensure all learners have access to high-quality CTE programs and limitless opportunities. 

This initiative is generously supported by the Joyce Foundation.