1. Purpose. To inform the workforce investment system of the implementation of common performance measures for job training and employment programs in 2004.
2. Background. In 2001, the President announced a Management Agenda to improve the management and performance of the federal government. One of the five government-wide goals, budget and performance integration, emphasizes program effectiveness. As part of the President's budget and performance integration initiative, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has developed common performance measures for programs with similar goals. In explaining this initiative, OMB has stated:
"Such measures are not determinative of whether a program is effective nor does such a comparison automatically mean one program is necessarily better or worse than another. However, such measures help raise important questions and can help managers improve certain aspects of their programs. This information can then be used to inform decisions about how to direct funding and how to improve performance in specific programs."
3. Common Measures. In coordination with federal agencies, OMB has developed uniform evaluation metrics, called "common measures," for job training and employment programs as well as four additional crosscutting, government-wide functions, including housing assistance, wildland fire management, flood mitigation, and disaster insurance. The common measures are intended to institute uniform definitions for performance. The common measures for job training and employment will be applied to 31 programs administered by six federal agencies. Attachment A provides a list of covered programs. These programs are expected to implement the common measures (begin information collection and reporting) in 2004.
5. Action Required. Please make this information available to appropriate program staff.
6. Inquiries. Questions regarding the common measures should be directed to the appropriate regional office or grant administrator.
7. Attachments.