Pilot Car Escort Certification Model For State Implementation

Pilot Car Escort Certification Model For State Implementation J Garza Consulting and Associates 1

Why a PCE Certification Model is Needed • No agreed upon definition for “Certification” • General confusion on what constitutes a certification program • Increased interest in using certification to distinguish qualified from unqualified • Widespread growth of differing programs with the same designated title J Garza Consulting and Associates 2

• Program inconsistencies exasperate the lack of industry uniformity • Programs include training that is not based on an objective job task analysis and/or was not developed consistent with accepted instructional design methods • Assessments are not developed, scored and administered with accepted measurement principles J Garza Consulting and Associates 3

What differentiates this model from the existing programs • Provides states with a plan and process to implement a uniform assessment-based certificate program • Provides the minimum quality requirements J Garza Consulting and Associates 4

• Provides guidance for states seeking to develop high quality certificate programs – Organizational structure, resources, and responsibilities – Records, documents, and materials management – Quality assurance and program evaluation – Delivery and maintenance of the training (PCE “Best Practices” Training program) J Garza Consulting and Associates 5

– Conduct and evaluation of assessment (Uniform PCE Assessment) – Issuance and use of the “Certificate in Pilot Car Escort Operations” J Garza Consulting and Associates 6

• Consistent with the proposed national standards for the development, implementation and administration of an assessment-based certificate program • Consistent with accreditation requirements • Includes Education, Examination, and Experience elements • Founded on the Pilot Car Escort “Best Practices” Training Program J Garza Consulting and Associates 7

• Includes the Uniform Pilot Car Escort Assessment • Includes validated on-the-job experience J Garza Consulting and Associates 8

Benefits of implementing the model • Clarifies Certification vs. certificate • Defines assessment-based certificate • Defines and establishes the credibility of a “Certificate in Pilot Car Operations” • Ensures a valid, reliable, and fair assessment against learning objectives set from a job task analysis J Garza Consulting and Associates 9

• • Ensures quality comprehensive education Promotes professional competence Satisfies governmental and public interest Ensures compliance with proposed national standards • Promotes state/regional reciprocity • Sets the stage for accreditation J Garza Consulting and Associates 10

• Defines standards of operation • Enhances industry safety • Enhances uniformity and harmonization J Garza Consulting and Associates 11

Why state implementation • Provides real and perceived objectivity • Provides program integrity • Provides stakeholders with confidence in program competence • Ensures stakeholders understand program purpose, scope, and requirements • States are a recognized legal entity J Garza Consulting and Associates 12

• States have the financial resources necessary to carry out program operations capably and support an effective certificate program • State development, implementation, and administration moves industry closer to uniformity J Garza Consulting and Associates 13

Process applied to establish “Best Practices” • Assemble a balanced Consensus Working Group responsible for the development of the Pilot Car Escort “Best Practices” Training Program – – User/Consumer: carriers, permit providers Producer/provider: pilot car escorts Government: FHWA General Interest: SC&RA, subject matter experts, training development specialist – Non-voting Liaison: CVSA, AASHTO J Garza Consulting and Associates 14

Industry Assessment • Job Task Analysis/Professional Blueprint – Subject Matter Expert Interviews – Benchmarking/Gap Analysis: Quantitative and qualitative review of existing PCE instructional materials/programs • Defined 16 critical learning outcomes • 2 states & 1 independently operated program provided instruction in one critical learning outcome • No existing materials/programs covered all 16 critical elements – PCE Survey J Garza Consulting and Associates 15

• Federal Regulation Analysis • “Best Practices” Defined • Examined CVSA Enforcement Practices J Garza Consulting and Associates 16

PCE “Best Practices” Training Program • PCE “Best Practices” Guidelines • PCE “Best Practices” Manual • PCE “Best Practices” supporting Microsoft Power Point Presentation • Uniform PCE Assessment • PCE Equipment Guidelines J Garza Consulting and Associates 17

PCE “Best Practices” Training Program Validation • • 3 -year validation Reconvened Consensus Working Group Subject matter expert interviews Federal regulation analysis Examine operational changes Validate industry “Best Practices” Update program materials J Garza Consulting and Associates 18