[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 20, Volume 3]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 20CFR628.515]

[Page 247-248]
 
                      TITLE 20--EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS
 
 CHAPTER V--EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 628--PROGRAMS UNDER TITLE II OF THE JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP ACT--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart E--Program Design Requirements for Programs Under Title II of 
                    the Job Training Partnership Act
 
Sec. 628.515  Objective assessment.

    (a) General. The requirements of this section shall apply to 
programs conducted under title I (i.e., sections 121 and 123) and title 
II, parts A, B, and C.
    (b) Definition. (1) For purposes of this part, an objective 
assessment means an examination of the capabilities, needs, and 
vocational potential of a participant and is to be used to develop an 
individual service strategy and employment goal. Such assessment is 
customer-centered and a diagnostic evaluation of a participant's 
employment barriers taking into account the participant's family 
situation, work history, education, basic and occupational skills, 
interests, aptitudes (including interests and aptitudes for 
nontraditional occupations), attitude towards work, motivation, behavior 
patterns affecting employment potential, financial resources and needs, 
supportive service needs, and personal employment information as it 
relates to the local labor market.
    (2) For the program under title II-B, the objective assessment shall 
include an examination of the basic skills and supportive service needs 
of each participant and may include the other areas listed in paragraph 
(b)(1) of this section

[[Page 248]]

(sections 204(a)(1)(A), 253(c)(1) and 264(b)(1)(A)).
    (c) Methods of objective assessment. (1) The SDA shall choose the 
most appropriate means to measure skills, abilities, attitudes, and 
interests of the participants. The methods used in conducting the 
objective assessment may include, but are not limited to, structured 
interviews, paper and pencil tests, performance tests (e.g., skills, 
and/or work samples, including those that measure interest and 
capability to train in nontraditional employment), behavioral 
observations, interest and/or attitude inventories, career guidance 
instruments, aptitude tests, and basic skills tests.
    (2) Instruments used for objective assessment may be developed at 
the local level; however, any formalized instruments nationally 
available should be used only for the specific populations for which 
they are normed.
    (d) Updating of assessments. Objective assessment should be treated 
as an ongoing process. As additional relevant information relating to a 
participant becomes available, it should be reviewed and considered for 
inclusion in the individual service strategy.
    (e) Other sources of objective assessment. Other non-JTPA 
assessments (e.g., through the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) 
program under title IV of the Social Security Act, or through schools) 
which have been completed within one year of application for services, 
and which meet the requirements of this section, may be used to comply 
with the requirement to assess each participant.