DIRECTIVE	:	TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 05-97
TO	:	ALL STATE JTPA LIAISONS ALL STATE WORKER ADJUSTMENT LIAISONS ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ADMINISTRATORS ALL ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER SYSTEM LEADS
FROM	:	ROBERT S. KENYON Acting Administrator for Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	Program Year (PY) 1995 SPIR National and State Data Books and Future CD-ROM

1. Purpose. To transmit a copy of the PY 1995 SPIR Data Book (SPIR--Standardized Program Information Reporting (SPIR) for the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Titles II-A, II-C, III, and Section 204(d)); to announce transmittal of PY 1995 SPIR State Data Books; and to announce the future availability of an enhanced CD-ROM that contains SPIR National and State Data Books, along with the entire SPIR dataset, performance standards technical assistance guide and other information, as well.

2. Background. JTPA is unique among social service initiatives in the amount of information gathered on its program participants. The SPIR is a national automated database that includes information on individuals who exit most JTPA training programs in a given year--dislocated workers, older workers, and economically disadvantaged youth and adults. The PY 1995 database includes over 840,000 records, making JTPA unique in the amount of individualized data it provides to multiple users. (Individual identifiers for each record have been removed to ensure JTPA participant confidentiality.)

   Five categories of participant information are included in the database:

   1. Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, ethnic group, and persons with disabilities;

   2. Wage data before and after participation in the program;

   3. Training received by participants who left the program, such as basic education, classroom training, or on-the-job training;

   4. Services provided, such as counseling or job search services; and

   5. Program results, such as employment status at termination and 13-week follow-up, and attainment of employability enhancements.

3. CD-ROM Information. The complete public use dataset for all PY 1995 JTPA Titles IIA, IIC, III, and Section 204(d) participants will soon be available in CD-ROM format. For the first time, the SPIR CD-ROM also contains the PY 95 SPIR Data Book, all 51 State SPIR Data Books, the Guide to JTPA Performance Standards for Program Years 1996 and 1997, additional technical documentation, and free Acrobat^TM Reader software in both MS-DOS and Windows versions. A complete list of the contents of the PY 1995 SPIR CD-ROM is attached.

4. Expected Benefits. The SPIR database provides users with a powerful tool for examining the characteristics and job training outcomes of particular participant subgroups. Such information is vital for successful program management and promoting continuous improvements in job training. For example:

   Combined with statistical analysis software, the SPIR database can help users analyze what combination of training and services for specific subgroups of customers leads to stable jobs at the state, regional and national levels;

   The SPIR database can be used to identify the kinds of nontraditional jobs found by women who received services under JTPA;

   SPIR can help identify whether local programs are able to replace the previous salary of dislocated workers who have been laid off for varying periods of time before they entered JTPA-sponsored training; and

   SPIR can help identify general patterns of characteristics and outcomes across categories of individuals who have completed JTPA services or specific job training programs.

   For State administrators, this information is a useful management tool that can be used to identify high- and low-achieving local service delivery programs, to inform the development of performance goals for making continuous quality improvements throughout JTPA, and to focus technical assistance.

   SPIR also supports State, local community, and federal policy and management analysis by showing which services lead to positive outcomes for participants. Thus, users would be better able to assess the needs of JTPA customers and improve job training and employment programs.

5. Distribution. The National Data Book is attached. State Data Books will be distributed shortly under separate cover and also can be downloaded from the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM will be distributed in approximately four weeks to those receiving this TEIN. Additional copies will be available upon request from ETA's Office of Policy and Research by contacting either Doug Scott at (202) 219-5487 ext. 111 (Internet:scottd@doleta.gov), or Valerie Lloyd at ext. 107 (Internet:lloydv@doleta.gov). OPR's fax number is (202) 219-5455.

6. Inquiries. Direct questions to the appropriate ETA Regional Administrator.

7. Separate Cover. State Data Books

8. Attachments. 
   PY 95 SPIR Data Book
   PY 1995 SPIR CD-ROM (Fact Sheet)

NOTE: Attachments not available to DMS