DOCUMENT RESUME ED 094 111 CE 001. 603 AUTHOR McKinlay, Bruce TITLE Oregon Career Information System: An Evaluation of PhaseS I and II of a Three-Phase Development Project. Final Report. INSTITUTION Oregon Univ., Eugene. Career Information System. SPONS AGENCY Manpower Administration (DOL), Washington, D.C. PUB DATE Mar 74 NOTE 234p.; For related documents, see ED 084 434 and 435 EDRS PRICE MF-$0.75 HC-$11.40 PLUS POSTAGE DESCRIPTORS Career Education; Career Planning; *Computer Oriented Programs; Computer Programs; Cost Effectiveness; Decision Making; Employment Opportunities; *Information Dissemination; Information Retrieval; *Information Systems; Labor Market; *Occupational Information; Program Evaluation; *Use Studies ABSTRACT The Career Information System (CIS) was developed with the purpose of providing direct access to career and labor market information in forms meaningful to students and other clients and integrated into schools and social agencies in the State. The document discdsses the information system, dealing with the topics: economics of information, information sources, data storage, career planning information file maintenance, manpower requirements, and evaluation of career planning information content and timeliness. In attempting to systematize the delivery of information, CIS implemented both the QUEST questionnaire and occupational descriptors. While other user components were less used, each was considered as the most valuable system component by a significant portion of those who used it. Two main CIS services were provided to users:(1) consultation, demonstration, and inservice training for staff of agencies where the career informatign delivery system is used, and (2) supply and interpretation of labor market information to program planners. The document also discusses the Oregon Manpower Studies, surveys on the pertinence of information requests, and a detailed financial analysis. Included are graphic tables and charts and 10 appendixes. (BP) Review Draft U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRO PUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM HE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGIN ATING hT POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY RERRE w SENT OFFICIAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION POSITION OR POLICY OREGON CAREER INFORMATION SYSTEM: AN EVALUATION' OF PHASES I AND II OF .A THREE-PHASE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FINAL REPORT CONTRACT NO. 82-41-7203 Submitted by: BRUCE MCKINLAY, PROJECT DIRECTOR On behalf of the Oregon Career Information System, a consortium with representation from the Oregon Board of Education, the Oregon Employment Division, the Oregon State System of Higher Education, intermediate education districts and local school districts. 0 MARCH, 1974 0 This report was prepared for the Manpower Administration, U. S. 0 Department of Labor, under research and development contract No. 82-41-7203 authorized by Title I of the Manpower DevelopMent and Training Act.Since contractors performing such work under Government sponsorship are encouraged to expiess their own judgment freely, the report does not necessarily represent the Department's official opinion or policy.Moreover, the contractor is solelyresponsible for the factual accuracy of all material developed. in the report. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER I SUMMARY AND BASIC CONCLUSIONS 1 CHAPTER II INTRODUCTION 6 Background 6 Organizational Structure and Function 17 Population Serving Agencies 21 Arrangements with Data Producing Agencies 24 Summary 30 CHAPTER III INFORMATION DEVELOPMENT 31 Economics of Information Development 32 Information Sources 36 Career Planning Information File Maintenance 49 Data Flow Chart 57 Evaluation of Information Content and Timeliness 59 Summary 69 CHAPTER IV CAREER INFORMATION DELIVERY SYSTEM 70 Necessary Features of a Career Information Delivery System for Career Planning 70 The QUEST Questionnaire and List 72 Information Components 79 Ease of System Usage 91 Continuing System Development 92 Summary 94 CHAPTER V SERVICES TO USERS 96 In-Service Training and Follow-Through on Career Planning Information Usage 96 Delivery System of Labor Market Information For Use in Program Planning 102 Summary 113 Page CHAPTER VI IMPACT ON USERS 115 Impact of Information on Individual Career Planning 116 Major Observations about Career Planning Process 131 Impact of Information Dissemination for Program Planning 134. Summary 139 CHAPTER VII FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS 141 Information Development Costs 142 Costs Related to Dissemination of Labor Market Information for Program Planning 150 Computer System Costs 151 Costs of Working with User Agencies 152 Fee Schedule For Services 154 Financial Support From User Agencies 159 APPENDICES A.Constitution 162 B.Standards for Use of the Occupational Information Access System 168 C.Agreement Between the Coos County Intermediate Education District and the Career Information System1972- 73 173 D.Outline of a Cooperative Aggreement for Development of Occupational Information BetWeen Employment Division and the Career Information System . 178 E.Names of Major Organizations and Agencies Producing Occupational Data 180 F.Revised Classification System for CIS/MIC Library 182 G.Handbook for Developing Taped Occupational Interviews .185 H.Format and Instructions for Writing Occupational Descriptions 192 I. Occupational Report on Draftsmen 208 J.Numerical List of CIS Occupations 219 LIST OF TABLES AND CHARTS Table Page I Major Information Sources 38 II Data Sources Used for Updating Descriptions, Sample Quarter, 1972 44 III Counselors' Ratings of Topics or Information Contained in Occupational Descriptions 62 IV Information Items and Summary of CIS Deliver Capability 69 V Frequency of Client Use of Specific Information Components of OIAS 80 VI Estimated CIS Penetration 100 VII Clients Who Indicated They Would Use OIAS Again If They Needed Job Information Later 126 VIII Clients' Recommendation About Keeping OIAS at the Employment Division 127 LX Help-Wanted Newspaper Advertisements as Information Sources 147 X CIS Pricing Schedule 156 XI Growth of CIS Usage 159 Charts Career Information System Organization Relationships 20 Career Information System Flow Chart 58 CHAPTER I SUMMARY AND BASIC CONCLUSIONS The Career Information System is not a conventional research project in which a research report is the principal product.Instead it is an attempt to institute a systematic information development procedure and to implement and manage an effective system for delivering information to 'program planners and clients,all through. the cooperative efforts of established institutions and institutional resources. As a concept and as a functioning organization, the Career Information System (CIS) can be viewed both as a system itself and as a component designed to complete a larger system.As a compo-7, nent the principal CIS goal is bridging the gap between occupational labor market information producers and consumers.The resulting CIS functions are both catalytic and contributOry.Facilitating inter- agency cooperation and communication is an important part of systematic information development and delivery.Thus, both system functions are essential to evaluation of CIS activity and impact during the first two phases of the three phase project. This evaluation comes approximately mid-way in the implementa- tion of the system.Therefore, the evaluation cannot attempt to reach final conclusions on all matters, but instead to assess progress to date and to chart a path for Phase III.Obviously some matters, such as information development methodology, were dealt with early, while others, such as implementation in agencies and some evaluation, were planned for Phase III. The evaluation concentrates on the program developmental activities called for in the CIS proposal for Phases I and II. In general,it documents work completed, and critiques both the methods and the progress to date.Essentially, the evaluation is a staff effort. 1 -2- Realization of the need for coordinated management of occupa- tional information antedated the formation of the Career Information System.When representatives from data-producing and occupational information-using agencies began to assess the need and possibilities of responding to it,several factors converged to make CIS a reality. The Oregon Employment Division was involved in substantial occupa- tional labor market research; the Oregon Board of Education was developing a major career education thrust, and the Occupational Information Access System was proving an effective means of deliver- ing occupational information to individuals involved in occupational exploration and career decision-making.These factors and the unified commitment of the group of agency representatives eventually resulted in a proposal for establishment of the Career Information System as a model interagency consortium with the purpose of providing direct access to current career and labor market information in forms meaningful to students and clients and integrated into schools and social agencies in the state.With essential endorsements and pledges of cooperation from the heads of pertinent state agencies and local institutions, the Career Information System was established under the authority of a Board and a staff was organized to compile labor market data and facilitate the integration of career information into agency and school counseling and instructional programs.CIS has developed strong working relationships with its user agencies, entering with them