National Online Learning Project

1
National Online Learning Project

• Dr. Mary Gatta
• Rutgers University

2
The Workforce Challenge

• Large, underserved population of low-wage workers
  in United States
• 40.0 of all workers 42.0 of employed men and
  38.0 of employed women had a high school
  degree or less
• This equates to 46 million workers (26 million
  men and 20 million women)

Data from the Center for Economic and Policy
Research, CEPR ORG Extract Version 0.9 and is
limited to workers aged 25 to 64.
3
Barriers to Training

• Childcare needs off hours and affordable
• Irregular work schedules
• Access to transportation
• Little access to employer sponsored training
• Conclusion online training democratizes access

4
Results of NJ Online Project

• High retention rate of 128 participants, only
  11 left the program (92 retention rate)
• Average wage increase 14
• Women also entered college and community college
  programs
• Democratizes access to education/training and
  computers
• Cost effective
• Relative to other training programs
• For the participants

5
Taking Online Learning Program to Scale

• All Labor Commissioners and WIB Directors are
  aware of the project
• New Jersey to double participation
• Several states on board to pilot program (DE, FL,
  ME, WY, and IL)
• Several states expressed interest (KS, HI, AL,
  PA, and NY)

6
Taking Online Learning Program to Scale

• Successful conference in September 2004
• 15 State Commissioners of Labor or key
  representatives (70 participants overall)
• 3 metropolitan city Labor/WIB Directors

7
Rutgers National Online Learning Center

• Centralized resource and technical center
• Provide resources, mobilize political will
• Technical assistance and guidance to states as
  they implement online learning
• Train the Trainer two-day intensive workshop
• Provide information on educational vendors

8
Rutgers National Online Learning Center

• Conduct Media Outreach and Secure Publicity on
  Program
• Develop papers and policy briefs on funding
  streams, best practices
• Publish a book on online learning through
  Lexington Press (expected Fall, 2005)
• Make presentations at state and national
  conferences, press briefings, and other venues on
  online learning

9
Rutgers National Online Learning Center

• Facilitate monitoring the implementation of
  online learning programs
• Provide Sloan Start-Up Grants over two years to
  key states that are serious about an online
  program
• Organize and implement an annual conference

10
Summary of Goals

• 4 states on board by 2005
• 6-8 states on board by the end of 2006
• Create a bridge that will enable us to sustain
  the Center