1. Data Quality Institute Washington DC February 8-10, 2006
Minnesota’s Perspective on Standardizing the Postsecondary Nontraditional Performance Indicators: Connecting The Ideal to the Data and Making it Real
Data Quality Institute
Washington DC
February 8-10, 2006
Pradeep Kotamraju, Ph.D. System Director, Perkins Federal Grant Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

2. Why Standardization in Perkins
A Balanced Data and Accountability System Permits:
The developing of a common framework of measures
Moving beyond compliance and into continuous improvement
Research and evaluation
When Previously Unconnected Accountability Results are Linked:
To Make CTE Student Achievement Results Visible
Learning can be seen as a measure of accountability
Initiation of organizational and behavioral change
Alignment of multiple stakeholder interests

3. Perkins Non-Traditional Measures: The Elements Under Discussion
Identifying Occupations as Non-Traditional
Data Sources for Identifying Non-Traditional Occupations
Updating Lists of Non-Traditional Occupations
Identifying Programs as Non-Traditional
Inclusion of Students (4P1)
Defining Completion
Inclusion of Students (4P2)
Reporting Completion Rates
Reporting: Cross-sectional or Longitudinal

4. Perkins Non-Traditional Measures: The Elements Under Discussion
What are Non-Traditional Occupations?
Coverage
Crosswalks
Currency
What are Non-Traditional Programs?

5. Perkins Non-Traditional Measures: The Elements Under Discussion
Who is a Non-Traditional Student?
Participant vs. Concentrator
Under- vs. Over-represented non-traditional sub-populations
How is Non-Traditional Completion Defined and Reported?
Sequence of Unrelated CTE courses
Sequence of Related CTE courses (CTE approved programs)
Career Clusters or Pathways
Received Degree or Credential
Cross-sectional Cohorts (Current Practice)
Entry Cohorts
Exit Cohorts

6. Perkins Standardization and Accountability: What Needs to Be Addressed?
Suggestion:
Have the Next Steps Working Group address the coverage, crosswalk and currency issues as they relate to the Perkins nontraditional indicators and provide to all states the basic frame of reference
Have the Next Steps Working Group, along with the Career Clusters Committee of the State Directors, provide to all states the basic frame of reference regarding the 16 career clusters and the associated Cip Codes within each career cluster

7. Implications and Further Developments
Local Plan Development
How will “Locals” Balance Standardization, the New Accountability Framework, and the Movement Towards Continuous Improvement
Extent of Technical Capability
How Ready are State Data Systems for the Standardization?
Move Towards Standardization
Does Consensus Mean Uniformity or Comparability?

8. Contact Information
Pradeep Kotamraju Ph.D.
System Director, Perkins Federal Grants
Office of the Chancellor
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
500 Wells Fargo Place, 30 E. 7th Street
St. Paul MN 55101
Tel No: ; Cell:
Fax: