Resources

Academic Programs in CE
FAQs
Helpful Links
In the News
Publications
Survey Findings
Trends

Publications

Improving the Fit: How to Use Assessment Data to Connect University Curricula to Workforce Needs

By M. Edward Jones and Charles F. Harrington

How can a college or univesity offer the best curriculum to meet the needs of its state and regional workforce? For many institutions with limited staff and resources, data gathering and assessment on the scale necessary to gain a good understanding of an institution's workforce and economic development contributions can be unwieldy. The model described in this 16-page publication shows how an institution can telescope that process, gauge its surroundings and respond in a relatively short time frame to regional and/or state workforce needs to provide a better curricular fit.

This publication describes:

• Assessment Methods: Internal Mechanisms, External Advisory Groups, Strategic Allies

• How to Track Trends: Environmental Boundary Scanning, Assessing Economic & Workforce Development Activity

• Economic Impact Modeling

• Suggestions for Collaboration & Curricular Reform

• How to Sustain the Process

The publication includes a bibliography and recommended links to resources on the Web.

24 pages, ©January 2002

Price: $16 members; $20 non-members