You are required to answer all 5 questions (1a to 1g) under the Part A: Current State section. As you respond with "Yes" or "No" choices, more options will become available. Please provide as much information as you can. To help you understand the questions and answer them correctly we have provided detailed explanations for each one of them.

Purpose: This question gathers information regarding the post-high school direction of the completer: education, training, or employment. Part A (“In a training program…”) includes those taking part in on-the-job training (OJT) programs.

Response Coding: A response of “Yes” or “No” is required for options a - g. Option f requires that you enter one of the selections from the menu of choices provided.

If you are an apprentice (b), then you are reported in the job for which you are being trained,* in which case Q1c = “Yes.”

You are considered working even if you are on paid leave, vacation, or sick leave.* You may also answer “Yes” to this question if you are unpaid for the work that you do.

The survey form will automatically select some options for you. This occurs if you respond that you are active full-time or part-time in the military. If you are full-time military (d), then Q1c = “Yes” and Q8 = “40hrs/wk.” If you are part-time military (e), then Q1c = “Yes.”

There is also a failsafe mechanism should the program fail to automatically select these and you do not catch it. The evaluator’s error-checking program will automatically set these responses.

Continuation to next question: If you are continuing your education (answered “Yes” to 1a or 1b), go to Question 2 and then complete Part B. If you are not continuing education, continue with Question 2 and then complete Part C on Employment. If you are not in continuing education and not in the workforce, complete Question 2 and then skip to Part D.

*Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics use.

Uses of the data: This survey item is one of the most important sources of information about what a student is doing after high school. It is used for calculating CPI 5S1 (Placement), which is required as part of receiving federal CTE Perkins funds. Local and state agencies use it to know how well programs meet the needs of students and employers. The state uses it to decide program rank for Added Cost funding purposes. It is very important that the information be complete and accurate.

Purpose: This question is intended to determine whether you have received any state and industry-recognized certification or licensure such as a cosmetology license, ASE certification, MOUS Certification, etc.

Response Coding: “Yes” or “No.” If the Response is “Yes,” please specify the name of the certification and other pertinent details regarding the certification/ licensure received.

Continuation to next question:

• If the answer to question 1a or 1b was “Yes,” continue to Part B: School / Training.
• If you were working but not in school (1c, d, or e was “Yes” and 1a and b are both “No”), skip to Part C: Employment.
• If the f (“Other”) section response was “Unpaid leave of absence” or “On seasonal layoff,” skip to Part D: Only If Not Working
• If the f("Other") response was “Hospitalized”, skip to Additional Comments.

Uses of Data: This survey item provides the data for Tech Prep CPI 1STP3, Percentage of Secondary Tech Prep Students that completed a state or industry-recognized certification/licensure. It is asked of all students and proxies.

Definition of Certificate and License:

Certificate – A certificate is awarded in recognition of an individual’s attainment of measurable technical or occupational skills necessary to gain employment or advance within an occupation. These technical or occupational skills are based on standards developed or endorsed by employers. Certificates awarded by workforce investment boards are not included in this definition. Work readiness certificates are also not included in this definition. A certificate is awarded in recognition of an individual’s attainment of technical or occupational skills by:

• A State educational agency or a State agency responsible for administering vocational and technical education within a State.
• An institution of higher education described in Section 102 of the Higher Education Act (20 USC 1002) that is qualified to participate in the student financial assistance programs authorized by Title IV of that Act. This includes community colleges, proprietary schools, and all other institutions of higher education that are eligible to participate in federal student financial aid programs.
• A professional, industry, or employer organization (e.g., National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence certification, National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc., Machining Level I credential) or a product manufacturer or developer (e.g., Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Certified Novell Engineer, Sun Certified Java Programmer) using a valid and reliable assessment of an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• A registered apprenticeship program.
• A public regulatory agency, upon an individual’s fulfillment of educational, work experience, or skill requirements that are legally necessary for an individual to use an occupational or professional title or to practice an occupation or profession (e.g., FAA aviation mechanic certification, state certified asbestos inspector).
• A program that has been approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer education benefits to veterans and other eligible persons.
• Job Corps centers that issue certificates.
• Institutions of higher education which are formally controlled, or have been formally sanctioned or chartered, by the governing body of an Indian tribe or tribes.

License – A permission granted by a competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an otherwise unlawful activity.