Focus Groups

Our work builds on both quantitative and qualitative sources to investigate the challenges and opportunities in creating equitable and effective college and career pathways for our students. The main goal of our engagement with and in focus groups is to better understand:

• Students' perspectives, perceptions, needs, expectations, and goals;

• The role business and workforce development partners can play in connecting students to career education programs and supporting them in completing training successfully;

• What can be done to improve programs and outcomes for students who pursue these programs

Focus Group 1 - Listening Session: Student Voices (on Zoom)

• Join us for a conversation about our future. If interested, please contact umaschke@guhsd.net.

  • February 2, 11am - 12 pm

Focus Group 2 - Business Partners (on Zoom)

• Join us for a conversation about our future. If interested, please contact umaschke@guhsd.net.

  • various dates

Focus Group 3 - GAE Administrative Management Council (on Zoom)

• Join us for a conversation about our future. If interested, please contact umaschke@guhsd.net.

  • March 15, 2:30 - 5 pm

Focus groups might explore questions such as these:

In a focus group with students:

• Based on your experience, how would you describe the purpose and goals of this program? What types of activities were used, and what was the outcome of these activities and the program overall?

• How do you value your participation in this class or program?

• What makes certain classes, programs, or trainings better than others?

• How does this training, class, or program connect to other roles and responsibilities you have?

In focus group with an instructors and adult ed staff:

• Based on your experience, how would you describe the scope and purpose of adult ed - employer partnerships (with which you have been involved)?

• What types of activities are used to engage employers?

• Are business partner - adult ed partnerships only needed for career training or might there be a broader role?

• What are some challenges in creating and maintaining effective partnerships?

• How do projects and programs developed in partnerships ensure equity in terms of who is served and how successful they are?

In a focus group with workforce development partners:

• In your current role, how do you engage with adult ed?

• How would you characterize the current state of partnerships between adult ed, workforce developers, and employers?

• What are some challenges in creating and maintaining effective partnerships?

• How do projects and programs developed in partnerships ensure equity in terms of who is served and how successful they are?

In a focus groups with business partners:

• In your current role, how do you engage with adult ed to meet your employee needs?

• How do you value different types of classes or programs in terms of current workers who may be looking to advance their careers?

• What makes certain programs better than others?

• What are some challenges in creating and maintaining effective partnerships?