Forrester Research  is an independent technology research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice about technology's impact on business.

NCES, The National Center for Education Statistics, provides an electronic catalog which includes Projections for Education Statistics to 2013.  

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  

Looking for data on state technology growth to see how your state’s numbers stack up?   http://www.southern.org/main/tools/tools.shtml  The Southern Growth Policies Board has complied a comprehensive list of resources on both the regional and national level to research topics in the community development; globalization and trade; innovation and technology and workforce disciplines.  Visit their Promising Practices link to see how communities are solving problems and implementing innovative programs to promote growth in the South. Promising Practices includes profiles and descriptions of a cross section of government, business and non profit organizations.  

Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI) is the Web site of the month at http://econdata.net .  It's not often that a dramatically new set of data become available for tracking state and local economies, but this is one of those rare times.  QWI, the product of a partnership between the Census Bureau and 27 states, is a work in progress.  Explanatory information will be added later, but it is an extremely rich and very straightforward site. So far, 17 states are on-line. 

 U.S. Government Re-Classifies Industries for Economic Forecasts  The federal government is reclassifying industry to reflect the shift to a more service and technology oriented economy. The new classification system, called NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) replaces SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) and promises to muddy economic analysis for some time. To ease the transition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has produced a new historical series casting previous data (back to 1990) in the NAICS framework. State and local data are available at: http://www.bls.gov/sae/home.htm#data. Click on the link to “Create Customized Tables.” For details, see: http://www.bls.gov/ces/cesnaics.htm.

The Partnership for Kentucky Schools is an organization of Kentucky business leaders dedicated to the continuous improvement of Kentucky schools.

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence is a statewide education advocacy organization. We work to improve education for all Kentuckians.

Since 1948, the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) has worked to build better futures for disadvantaged children and their families in the United States. The primary mission of the Foundation is to foster public policies, human service reforms, and community supports that more effectively meet the needs of today's vulnerable children and families.

The Kentucky School Boards Association

The Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program  -- The Governor’s Scholars Program is a stimulating, five-week, residential summer program for outstanding Kentucky students completing their junior year in high school. Established in 1983, the popular program provides academic and personal growth in a challenging, non-traditional experience that balances a strong liberal arts program with a full co-curricular and residential life experience. Students must complete an application and compete with others from across the state. Those selected attend the program free of charge.

The School Information Partnership is a public-private collaboration designed to empower parents, educators and policymakers to use the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) data to make informed decisions and improve school results. Standard & Poor's created the website which includes a suite of interactive analytical tools from Standard & Poor's School Evaluation Services and the National Center for Educational Accountability's Just for the Kids. For schools, districts and states across the nation, the website will display available data required to be publicly reported under NCLB. This initiative is funded by The Broad Foundation and U.S. Department of Education.  VISIT www.schoolresults.org .

The Partnership for 21st Century Skills  is a public-private organization formed in 2002 to create a successful model of learning for this millennium that incorporates 21st century skills into our system of education.  Members include the AOL Time Warner Foundation, Apple Computer, Inc., Cable in the Classroom, Cisco Systems, Inc., Dell Computer Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, National Education Association, and SAP.  Partners include the U.S.Department of Education, Appalachian Technology in Education Consortium, Consortium for School Networking, ISTE, SETDA, Tech Corps, etc.

Achieve, Inc. was created by the nation's governors and business leaders, Achieve helps states prepare all young people for postsecondary education, work and citizenship by raising academic standards and achievement in America's schools.  The American Diploma Project (ADP) is sponsored by Achieve.

The mission of Alliance for Excellent Education is to make it possible for America's six million, at-risk middle and high school students to achieve high standards and graduate prepared for college and success in life. For the last decade, this country has attempted an educational renaissance, making an enormous investment to get more children into preschool and kindergarten and to increase literacy in early grades. New high standards and measures of accountability have been put in place. They are difficult measures, but hold the promise of revolutionizing our school system.  This site includes many resources, data, and links to other useful sites.

The Education Commission of the States (ECS) is an interstate compact created in 1965 to improve public education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders. ECS creates unique opportunities to build partnerships, share information and promote the development of policy based on available research and strategies. http://www.ecs.org/

Innovative Practices for Employment of Inner City Workers - A new Web site, www.workforceadvantage.org identifies and documents 17 of the most innovative practices for boosting employment opportunities for entry-level and low-skill workers in the inner cities. Launched by the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and Jobs for the Future, the user-friendly site features case studies and implementation tools.

New Cities Foundation (Kentucky League of Cities) 

Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition - a nationally recognized source of career information designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives.

PEPNet is a system and an information base for identifying and promoting what works in youth employment and development. Learn more about how youth programs, policy makers, funders, and other youth professionals including Workforce Investment Boards, are using PEPNet to learn about and promote effective practices for youth.

Promising Practices for Youth Violence Prevention in Schools - A new Web site provides information on best practices in preventing youth violence in schools. Developed by the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for the Study and Prevention of Youth Violence, and the Virginia Department of Education, the Web site features a database of nationally identified best practice programs as well as promising programs that may not have yet been subject to rigorous study and evaluation. Visit the Web site at http://www.pubinfo.vcu.edu/vabp.

Career Clusters - Focusing Education on the Future:  Career Clusters link what students learn in school with the knowledge and skills they need for success in college and careers

Read all about The Lane Report's exciting new publication, NEXT, Your Future After High School in Kentucky . . . now in every school in Kentucky.

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD/Youth) - a source for information about employment and youth with disabilities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Center for Workforce Preparation  is a non-profit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce focused on workforce development and quality education issues.

The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1946 as a voice for business in the political arena.  Today it is the largest business association in the state. The Chamber represents more than 7,000 businesses (or more than 50 percent of the private workforce) through its membership and more than 12,000 business professionals through its Affiliates program, an advocacy network of local chamber members. The Chamber’s board of directors is made up of more than 60 of Kentucky’s top business leaders.  Visit the Kentucky Chamber site for important news, upcoming events, programs and coalitions, and politics and advocacy.

Center for Workforce Preparation is a nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce focused on workforce development and quality education issues. Its sole mission is to assist chambers of commerce in the development of workforce strategies so their members can hire, train, retain, and advance workers with skills to compete in the 21st Century. CWP helps to build leadership in local chambers for workforce development and helps chambers recognize the value and importance of this leadership role. Several reports of interest are posted on the site. 

Industry Week:  Leadership in Manufacturing -- a on-line magazine for the manufacturing industry .

Center for Workforce Success -- The Center is the training and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturer's Manufacturing Institute. The Center has several reports posted that are of interest to workforce boards and staff. 

The National Association of Manufacturers -- works to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturers and to improve American living standards by shaping a legislative and regulatory environment conducive to U.S. economic growth and to increase understanding among policymakers, the media and the public about the importance of manufacturing to America’s economic strength.

Associated Industries of Kentucky  

KENTUCKY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY LINKS -- Kentucky Facilities, New and Expanding Industry, Foreign Investment, Motor Vehicle-Related (MVR) Facilities, Kentucky Industry Profiles, Manufacturing Facility Closing Reports, Related Links

Announcing the Best Places to Work in Kentucky -- Each year, Fortune magazine publishes its national “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” issue in January. The Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council has taken a leadership role in a multi-year initiative to identify and recognize Employers of Choice within our state. If you think your organization has what it takes to be honored on the first annual Best Places to Work in Kentucky list, or if you simply want to learn more about this project, visit www.bestplacestoworkky.com. 

Discover Business in Kentucky! through kybiz.com -- a valuable business tool filled with the most up-to-date economic development and business information about the Commonwealth.  Underwritten by Kentucky Utilities and Lane Consultants.

The Corporation for Enterprise Development  (CFED) fosters widely shared and sustainable economic well-being. CFED promotes asset-building and economic opportunity strategies, primarily in low-income and distressed communities, that bring together community practice, public policy, and private markets in new and effective ways.

The Council on Competitiveness  provides a forum for elevating national competitiveness to the forefront of national consciousness. The only national organization whose membership is comprised exclusively of CEOs, university presidents and labor leaders, the Council's viewpoint and findings are cited widely in debate and discussion at the national, regional and local levels. The Council's commitment is to bring together the nation's business, academic and labor leaders to chart a course for global competitiveness. http://www.compete.org/

Government and Budgets

GovBenefits.gov is a partnership of Federal agencies with a shared vision - to provide improved, personalized access to government assistance programs.

For the latest information from the White House on Jobs and Economic Growth as well as news on a variety of issues from a national perspective visit http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040405-3.html. 

http://www.nga.org/ The National Governors Association maintains information about state and national issues. 

POLICY / POLICY STUDIES

The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) a national, non-profit organization founded in 1968, conducts research, policy analysis, technical assistance, and advocacy on issues related to economic security for low-income families with children.  In addition, CLASP is a leader in the national effort to establish equal justice for all.

The Southern Growth Policies Board is a non-partisan public policy think tank based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Formed by the region's governors in 1971, Southern Growth Policies Board develops and advances visionary economic development policies by providing a forum for partnership and dialog among a diverse cross-section of the region's governors, legislators, business and academic leaders and the economic- and community-development sectors. This unique public-private partnership is devoted to strengthening the South's economy and creating the highest possible quality of life. http://www.southern.org/  

Best Places to Work in Kentucky -- Each year, Fortune magazine publishes its national “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” issue in January. The Kentucky Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) State Council has taken a leadership role in a multi-year initiative to identify and recognize Employers of Choice within our state. If you think your organization has what it takes to be honored on the first annual Best Places to Work in Kentucky list, or if you simply want to learn more about this project, visit www.bestplacestoworkky.com. 

Regional Technology Strategies, Inc. (RTS) builds and accelerates regional competitive advantage by encouraging higher value-added commerce performed by highly skilled people. A 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, RTS assists governments, foundations, and other organizations in creating, implementing, and evaluating innovative regional economic development strategies. In its work, RTS pays special attention to historically disadvantaged regions and populations.

GovBenefits.gov is a partnership of Federal agencies with a shared vision - to provide improved, personalized access to government assistance programs.

The National Association of State Workforce Agencies provides information  on the WIA System, a Resource Room, Legislative News, Member Services, State Practices, a Workforce Calendar, and other links plus much more! 

Interest in addressing staffing shortages and recruitment and retention issues has aroused new focus on career ladders. Collaboration between employers and training providers, and use of labor market information to make consistent comparisons between occupations, are key to successful career ladder endeavors. Additional information about California's career ladder studies is available through Bonnie Graybill at (916) 262-2237. (Sponsored by the Labor Market Information (LMI) Training Institute, which provides an infrastructure to advance the art and science of labor market information among LMI professionals and the LMI customer community.)

The National Dissemination Center / National Research Center -- The National Research and Dissemination Centers for Career and Technical Education, as primary sources of research-based information, will significantly affect the quality of knowledge and understanding necessary to advance career and technical education in the United States.  The Consortium partners are committed to providing innovative approaches to improving the practice of career and technical education at local, state, and national levels leading to improved student achievement. To this end, the Centers will develop intensive and ongoing relationships with practitioners and policymakers in career and technical education.  http://www.nccte.org/  

National Association of Workforce Boards -- NAWB represents business-led Workforce Boards that plan and oversee state and local workforce development and job training programs. Members are volunteers working in their communities to create a more highly skilled workforce.  Workforce Boards consist of public and private sector members who are leading the way in workforce development so that America can remain competitive in the global marketplace.  http://www.nawb.org/  

Computer Systems Policy Project --  An advocacy organization of chairmen and chief executive officers from leading U.S. information technology companies.  CSPP's mission is to educate policymakers, opinion leaders and the public on the technology industry, identify trends in technology and their impact on our nation, and effectively participate in the lawmaking process that affects our customers and our companies.  As our nation navigates uncertain economic times and an increasingly competitive global environment, we face new challenges and opportunities.  The U.S. must be well positioned to capitalize on the many advantages of the Networked World and all it has to offer.  Industry and government leaders should work together to ensure that policies are in place to foster economic prosperity, increase productivity, promote innovation, and improve standards of living in the U.S.  The members of CSPP are committed to joining with policymakers on a competitiveness agenda that seeks these objectives and ensures our economic and national security.    http://www.cspp.org/  

National Leadership Institute for Workforce Excellence -- This site serves WIB members and key staff by providing access to a wide variety of leadership development resources and tools.