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The W-2 agency is required to conduct an educational needs assessment with all new W-2 applicants and before making a change in W-2 placement . The assessment must:
1. Identify the applicant/participant’s current educational levels. Agencies are encouraged to use a standardized educational assessment tool to determine educational levels. Assessment tools such as TABE and WRAT are already widely use by W-2 agencies for this purpose.
If a standardized assessment tool, such as TABE or WRAT has been completed within the prior six months, the agency may use the results of that assessment to determine the applicant's or participant's current educational level. It is not necessary to administer a new standardized educational assessment to the individual.
2. Determine the applicant/participant’s education and training needs. In making this determination, the FEP must consider the following:
a. The information gathered on the applicant/participant’s current educational levels. The FEP must document this information on the appropriate CARES screens (WPED, WPPE and WPAW) and in case comments;
b. The level of education and training necessary to obtain full-time employment in the local labor market. The Department of Workforce Development maintains a website with Wisconsin labor market information at
http://worknet.wisconsin.gov/worknet/default.aspx. From this website you can link to many useful resources, such as:
LMI – for Workforce Development Areas at http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/oea/. This site covers the occupations in demand for each region and county in the state.
The Occupational Information Network (O*NET ), at http://online.onetcenter.org/. This site provides comprehensive information on job requirements and worker competencies for employment sectors and occupations.
c. The applicant/participant’s personal employment goals. If the FEP determines that the individual is eligible for W-2 and s/he needs or would benefit from education or training activities, including a course of study meeting the standards established for the granting of a declaration of high school graduation, the education and training activities must be included in the individual’s EP.
Example: Holly is found nonfinancially and financially eligible for W-2. She has not completed high school and the educational needs assessment finds her to be at a 10th grade reading and math comprehension level. An aptitude assessment also shows that she is artistic and has good mechanical skills. Holly tells the FEP she has had several brief job spells as a short-order cook and her personal employment goal is to become a chef. However, all of her past employment has resulted in job terminations due to disputes with her supervisors. The FEP determines that Holly would be appropriate for a CSJ. For the first week, Holly is assigned to 40 hours of Job Readiness/Motivation training. After completing the first week, she is assigned to 30 hours per week at a work experience site that combines food preparation experience with culinary skills training, which is expected to last about six weeks. In addition, Holly is assigned to eight hours per week of tutoring to prepare her for her GED.
If the applicant or participant refuses to complete an educational needs assessment, such as the TABE, and there is no other information available as to the individual’s current math and reading comprehension level, the W-2 agency may proceed to work with the individual as though there are no literacy barriers.
This page last updated in Release # 11-01
Release Date: 03/07/11
Effective Date: 03/07/11