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ARKANSAS WORKS: OVERVIEW
Task Force on Poverty
Arkansas Department of Career Education
Little Rock, AR
March 24, 2010
WHY ARKANSAS WORKS?
Arkansas Needs an Education Cultural Change Increase Value Placed on Education Produce More Residents with Baccalaureate Degrees Increase Knowledge of All Postsecondary Options Better Understanding of College and Career Planning Become more competitive in the area of Economic
Development nationally and internationally
WHAT IS ARKANSAS WORKS?
Expansion of the Arkansas College and Career Planning System Collaboration among state agenciesFunded by Temporary Assistance for
Needy Families (TANF)Designed to assist Arkansas’ Youth
and AdultsTwo Component System: On-Line
Based Internet Planning Tool and College and Career Coaches
ON-LINE BASED INTERNET PLANNING TOOL– POWERED BY KUDER
Free and Open to all Arkansans through Public Sites
Designed to Drive Youth and Adults to Services
Enhancements: 6-Year Career Plan, Link 2 College and Connect to Business
COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHES COMPONENT
Three Year Pilot with Opportunity for Expansion
43 College and Career Coaches
Co-located at 12 two-year Colleges and Provide Services to Middle/High School students in the 21 most economically challenged counties in the state
Includes Career Development Facilitator (CDF) Training, which will be completed by April 16, 2010.
WHERE ARE COLLEGE AND CAREER COACHES LOCATED?
COUNTY SELECTION
The 10 following factors were used: Median Household income 2007 Unemployment rate as of March 2009 Unemployment rate for region as of March 2009 All ages in poverty in 2007 Under 18 in poverty in 2007 Ages 5-17 in families in poverty Free and reduced price school lunch Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons
age 25+ High school graduates, percent of persons age 25+ Spring 2008 high school graduates entering college
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE COLLEGE AND CAREER COACH?
Work as a team and complement existing College and Career planning efforts of Arkansas high school guidance counselors
Support the Student
Expand and Identify College Planning and Career Exploration Opportunities
Career Coaches will be expected to provide services and disseminate information that will address the following areas:
Academic Preparation for Postsecondary Education
Plans for Postsecondary Education
Information on Financial Aid
Connections Between Education and Careers
Transitioning to Postsecondary Education
HOW WILL ARKANSAS WORKS AND CAREER COACHES BE EVALUATED?
Performance MeasuresHigh School Graduation RateEnrollment in Smart CoreCollege-Going RateReduced RemediationIncreased ACT ScoresIncreased Applications for State AidIncreased Applications for Federal Aid
KEY INDICATORS – TOTAL NUMBER OF…
Individuals served through expanded career counseling services and activities in the 21 indentified counties
Individuals statewide, by county, accessing the online Arkansas Works Career Planning System annually
Completed career plans developed as a result of the College and Career Coach’s intervention
Students in the targeted counties receiving assistance with college admissions, college enrollment, or college placement testing activities
KEY INDICATORS (CONTINUED)
Increased postsecondary enrollment statewide and in the targeted counties
Number of TANF-eligible individuals served through the Arkansas Works Planning System
Number of career planning support activities provided specifically for TANF-eligible individuals
Graduation and placement rates of TANF-eligible individuals
VIRGINIA MODEL – CAREER PLANNING RESULTS
67% change in students without plans to attend college to having plans to attend;
7% increase in statewide community college enrollments from high schools with a career coach;
4% increase in statewide community college enrollments in career and technical education;
5% increase in student participation in AP, concurrent and other forms of college credit attained while in high school.
QUESTIONS???
For additional information about Arkansas Works visit: http://www.arworkscareer.com
or please feel free to contact:
Sonja Wright-McMurray, Associate DirectorArkansas Department of Career Education
