Does anyone know of any correctional education evaluations or research studies exploring the relationship between the three generic WorkKeys Levels (Gold, Silver, Bronze) and post-release outcomes? Some of my current research (I'm presenting the report in Madison) suggests that vocational and academic training cannot make up for severe deficits in generic employability skills; however I was merely using the rate of disciplinary reports as a proxy--the WorkKeys information should be a more direct measure of an ex-offender's generic employablity skills. Any related information would be greatly appreciated.

Cordially,
Eric Lichtenberger
CEA Research and Evaluation SIG Chair

Eric
We used Work Keys in Community Corrections for the last 7-8 years (before anyone in DCE in Virginia). I do know that many graduates of our programs used the Certificates as part of their credentials to help secure employment. As the program is still relatively new nationally, I have not seen any recidism studies. I am not sure that the two can be empirically linked to reducing recidivism? There are too many variables in the outside world. You are right about the need for employability skill to retain any job! As is, the acual skill in performaing the task of the job, and leading a blanced and fully productive lifestyle.

Eric, are you familiar with the WorkKeys assessment? Do you have a list of what is actually measured in each trest? Did you know that each state selects the tests that are to be required for its citizens to receive a Career Readiness Certificate? What does the term "generic employability skills" mean in the context in which you are using it?

Hey Linda,
When I was an intern in a job placement office at a community college (New River in Dublin, VA) one of my responsibilities was administering the WorkKeys Assessment; and we delivered the entire battery over the course of two days, but that was 8 years ago and I only remember so much. We administered the assessment for two large employers and they used it to make hiring decisions; however, I'm not sure if anyone ever looked at the relationship between the assessment and how successful those meeting the minimum scores actually were on the job for those employers.

So you're saying different agencies/states have different criteria for their career readiness certificates using some combination of the WorkKeys assessments (applied math, reading for info, teamwork, locating info, writing, listening, applied technology, and observation). I was hoping that I could operationalize "generic employability skills" using the scaled scores from the actual WorkKeys assessments. In other words, isolate the impact of teamwork, listening, etc. on post-release outcomes while controlling for differences in demographics, CE program participation, and area of release. However, before I did that I wanted to see if anyone within Correctional Education explored what the individuals with career readiness certificates do once they are released. In other words, do those meeting the gold standard do better than those meeting the silver standard, etc.?

I just wanted to be sure we were talking about the same skill set. Some people mean thiings like "punctuality", "reliability", etc when they talk of soft employability skills. I see you are obviously familiar with what the WorkKeys measures. I would be interested in knowing the answer to your question myself, and I don't think anyone has been able to measure the impact of earning the CRC with success in the workplace. Mine was one of the first two sites in Virginia to administer the WorkKeys, and we started in the Fall of 2005. Our agency came "onboard" about a year after that, so I'm not sure if we've been testing long enough to have an answer to your question. I can tell you that we have neer been able to track the offenders after they leave our programs.

We have awarded 163 certificates since we started. Fewer than 10% have been gold. Interestingly, a fairly high number of those earning gold certificates have been terminated from our program early for disciplinary reasons. Our capacity is 106 men, and we average about 90% full in a year. Our men are with us for 6 months. I know that doesn't help, but thought you would find it interesting.

The requirements for a CRC are set by each state. I believe there is some movement to standardize it nationally.

Linda Audet , the first to give the CRC in correctional education in Virginia , should know. I support her answer!

Linda,
Darn, the part about Gold CRC holders and their disciplinary withdrawals goes against my hypothesis. How many of the 163 have been released? By the way, are you in community corrections?
Eric

I am in community corrections -- in a diversion center. All but a handful have long since been released. I've just kept a count over the years.

Dr. Ellison was my supervisor at the time we started giving the test, so he remembers as it was his idea to begin with. (Hi, Murray!)