LINCS Community Member, Judy Mortrude, recently wrote about new federal guidelines explaining the Ability to Benefit (ATB) provision alignment with career pathways for the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
The piece highlights how students who participate in an ATB alternative are now eligible for the full Pell award—$5,815 in the 2016-2017 award year. She also clarifies that the new ATB eligible career pathway definition mirrors the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and provides that a career pathway “enables an individual to attain” a high school diploma or its equivalency, thereby allowing learners without a high school diploma or equivalency in both secondary and postsecondary credential to benefit.
Judy also points out an opportunity in that institutions do not need to ask for formal approval from the U.S. Department of Education for career pathways programs. However, they are required to document how their program meets each of the seven elements of the career pathway definition.
CLASP "encourage postsecondary education officials, particularly financial aid administrators, to take notice of this guidance and consider starting your research on eligible career pathways at CLASP’s ATB resource page".
Given this opportunity to develop and expand career pathways programs, both regionally and nationally, what are your questions about ABT? How has your institution documented alignment with the seven elements of the WIOA career pathways definition?
Mike Cruse
Career Pathways Moderator
michaelcruse74@gmail.com