2010 TAA data validation waiver

Accessible letter PDF: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEGL/2011/TEGL24-10ACC.pdf

                                                          CLASSIFICATION
   EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION                 Data Validation
               ADVISORY SYSTEM                            CORRESPONDENCE SYMBOL
                                                          OPDR
          U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
                                                          DATE
             Washington, D.C. 20210                       May 9, 2011



ADVISORY:         TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT GUIDANCE LETTER NO. 24-10

TO:               STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES
                  STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS

FROM:             JANE OATES /s/
                  Assistant Secretary

SUBJECT:          Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Data Element Validation for Fiscal Year
                  (FY) 2010

1. Purpose. To provide states with notice that TAA data element validation is not
   required for FY 2010.

2. References.
        Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 31-09, Program Year
         2009/Fiscal Year 2010 Performance Reporting and Data Validation Timelines
        TEGL 6-09, Instructions for Implementing the Revised 2010 Trade Adjustment
         Assistance Trade Activity Participant Report (TAPR)

3. Background. TAA data element validation was first initiated several years ago as part of a
   unified Employment and Training Administration (ETA) response to a report published by
   the Office of the Inspector General. This report raised doubts about the reliability and
   consistency with which each state calculated the aggregate Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
   outcome data used to report on the program’s outcomes to the Secretary of Labor and
   Congress. Unlike WIA, states do not perform their own outcome calculations for TAA, but
   report individual records that are used by ETA to calculate aggregate outcomes, which
   ensures consistency of aggregate calculations. Therefore, the emphasis in TAA has been on
   the reliability of the individual data elements reported. Between FY 2005 and FY 2009,
   states performed TAA data element validation on 17 data elements that were reported under
   the old Trade Activity Participant Report reporting format, matching the reported data to
   source documentation.

   In FY 2010 and continuing into FY 2011, states have undergone an intensive effort to
   implement the new TAPR. In addition to the reengineering required to respond to the
   consolidation of three TAA reports into the single streamlined TAPR format, states have
   been making significant efforts to improve the reliability of their data by complying with 250
   edit checks that have been implemented, with approximately 80 edit checks planned for
   implementation on July 1, 2011. Some states are still working on cleaning up and
   automating systems to coordinate data and improve their ability to comply with the existing

 RESCISSIONS                                             EXPIRATION DATE
 None                                                    Continuing
   report level logic-based cross-validation checks. In addition, the reversion of the program to
   the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 on February 15, 2011, requires
   additional reprogramming at the state level and devotion of resources to implementation
   activities. Shifting resources to data validation at this time would reduce the resources
   available to implement program reversion.

4. Action Requested. States should notify all relevant personnel within their states that data
   element validation will not be required for FY 2010, so that limited state resources can be
   focused on program reversion efforts. However, states should know that this is a partial
   waiver of Data Element Validation requirements; it does not apply to the collection of
   appropriate source documentation. Data collection is still mandatory.

5. Inquiries. Contact your ETA Regional Office Performance Specialist or Trade Specialist for
   further information.




                                                2