TOP-CIP-SOC: M
AKINGI
TW
ORK FORY
OURCTE P
ORTFOLIOCCCAOE Conference March 25, 2015
Today’s Workshop
Background Information
Problems with the codes discovered
Potential Solutions
Today’s Workshop
Background Information
Problems with the codes discovered
Potential Solutions
Centers of Excellence
for Labor Market Research
The Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research (COE) deliver statewide, regional, and local labor market research customized for community college decision making and workforce development.
As a technical assistance provider, the COE work with colleges, regions and sector networks to …
• identify opportunities and trends in high growth, emerging, and economically critical industries and occupations.
• estimate the gap between labor market demand, available training, and existing or future workers.
• help regions respond to workforce needs by providing them quality information for decision-making.
Centers of Excellence
for Labor Market Research
Problem: Integrating the crosswalk into the LaunchBoard revealed that the occupations attached to CTE program codes sometimes were:
1) Not the best fit for community college CTE program goals 2) Not relevant to the training offered
3) over-assigned (one occupation assigned to several TOP codes)
COEs went through the process of reviewing the current version of the crosswalk line by line, program by program and developed a new version of the crosswalk to be integrated into the LaunchBoard.
What are TOPs
The Taxonomy of Program (TOP) is a system of numerical codes used at the state level to collect and report information on programs and courses, in different community colleges throughout the state, that
have similar outcomes. TOP codes are unique to California Community Colleges.
What are CIPs
CIP stands for
Classification of
Instructional Programs. These codes are used by the US Department of
Education to describe and aggregate college majors into a systematic
description of instructional activity. CIP codes are used by all other postsecondary institutions in the U.S.
What are SOCs
Standard
Occupational
Classification (SOC) system's unique, 6-digit numerical identifier for each occupation.
Broad 2-digit
categories to unique 6-digit occupations
Codes and crosswalks…
•
What do you use TOPs, CIPs and SOCs
for?
•
Why do you need a crosswalk between
TOP to CIP to SOC
Existing crosswalk is based on the federal CIP to SOC crosswalk…
Today’s Workshop
Background Information
Problems with the codes discovered
Potential Solutions
Problems Discovered
Three general categories of problems:
•
Limitations related to TOP system
•
Limitations related to improper
assignment of TOP codes
I. Limitations of TOP system
A. Missing Levels in the Hierarchy
Individual programs are assigned to the 4th and 6th digit (TOP 1210 and 1208.10 for example); there are no functioning 3rd and 5th
levels as “umbrella” levels of the classification system.
Level / Code TOP
2-digit 1200.00 - Health
3-digit 1210.00 (Partially in use)
4-digit 1208.00 – Medical Assisting*
1210.00 - Respiratory Care/Therapy* 5-digit 1208.10, etc. (Partially in use)
6-digit
1208.10 – Clinical Medical Assisting
1208.20 – Administrative Medical Assisting 1208.30 – Health Facility Unit Coordinator
These are all 5-digit levels. Correct 6-digit codes would be 1208.01, 1208.02 and 1208.03
I. Limitations of TOP system
B. 4-digit Level Treated as Program Level
TOP system allows classifying individual programs under 4-digit TOP codes that are more generic and often have programs under. This creates confusion…
0702.00 – Computer Information Systems 0702.10 – Software Applications
Level TOP # of CC with Programs 4-digit 1208.00 – Medical Assisting*
Total, all programs under 4-digit TOP 1208
36 78
6-digit
1208.10 – Clinical Medical Assisting 1208.20 – Admin. Medical Assisting 1208.30 – Health Facility Unit Coord. Total, all 6-digit programs
15 26 1 42
How is 1208.00 Medical Assisting different from the others?
I. Limitations of TOP system
C. Limited Room for Emerging Programs
The “All Other” is an element inserted throughout TOP but only as a separate 4-digit (e.g. 1299 Other Health Occupations).
No separate 6th digit option exists (e.g. 1208.99 Medical Assisting,
All Other).
As a result, many very different programs are “neighbors” under these general “All Other” categories making data analysis
problematic.
How often should TOPs be revised? How to keep up with changes?
I. Limitations of TOP system
D. Two Codes for the Same Program
TOP system allows colleges to code very similar programs under
completely different parts of the classification system (2-digit TOP codes).
Should TOP system allow both? Why or why not?
0514.20 – Medical Office Technology Prepares individuals to perform medical office administrative duties by manual and/or electronic means. Includes a knowledge of medical terminology, as well as hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures, and compiling and maintaining medical records.
1208.20 – Administrative Medical Assisting Principles and techniques to assist with administration in health care offices and clinics. Includes
receptionist duties, maintaining patient records, billing, insurance, bookkeeping, appointments, and scheduling.
II. Limitations of assignment protocols
A. Usage of 4-digit TOP codes
Some colleges assign programs to broader 4-digit codes instead of specific 6-digit codes.
This creates confusion when analyzing programs within and across colleges.
Should colleges be encouraged to select 6-digit code?
When creating new programs, should colleges select their CIP codes as well?
II. Limitations of assignment protocols
B. Usage of “General” program codes
Some colleges assign programs to general TOPs rather than selecting a specific code. It is challenging to connect these programs to occupations and get relevant labor market data.
Example: 1240.00 Dental Occupations vs. - 1240.10 Dental Assisting
- 1240.20 Dental Hygienist
- 1240.30 Dental Laboratory Technician
II. Limitations of assignment protocols
C. Updating codes for emerging programs
“All Other” TOP codes are often used by colleges to create
new/emerging programs that do not have a separate TOP code.
However, many programs stay within the “All Other” category for a long time, even after a TOP code has been created.
Example: 0956.10 Energy Systems Technology vs. 0999.00 Other Engineering and Industrial Technology
What is the protocol for colleges to submit the change in the TOP code?
III. “Crosswalking” challenges
A. CIP is often more specific than TOP
• e.g.
B. CIP codes capture different levels of programs (e.g. 4-year,
Master’s, etc.). It might make existing CIP to SOC crosswalk
irrelevant for community colleges
• e.g. Business Administration (different set of occupations for 4-year programs vs. community college programs)
• e.g. Postsecondary teachers
093410 Computer Electronics 151201 Computer Engineering Technology/Technician.
III. “Crosswalking” challenges
C. Many different programs train for the same
occupation(s). Care should be taken when analyzing
program in the labor market
• e.g. Graphic Designers (TOP 1009.00 Applied Design,
1013.00 Commercial Art, 1030.00 Graphic Art and Design, 0614.00 Digital Media, 0614.60 Computer Graphics and Digital Imagery)
D. Skills enhancement programs are difficult to crosswalk
to coccupations
Today’s Workshop
Background Information
Problems with the codes discovered
Potential Solutions
Solutions – Open Forum
1. What short-term “quick fix” solutions do you
see?
•
What could Chancellor’s Office do better?
Solutions – Open Forum
2. What long-term solutions do you see?
•
What could Chancellor’s Office do better?
•
What could colleges do better?
3. Who else needs to be engaged in the
Today’s Workshop
Background Information
Problems with the codes discovered
Potential Solutions
Thank You!
Zhenya Lindstrom
Director, San Diego-Imperial Region
Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research
Laura Coleman
Director, South Central Coast Region
Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research
