Data validation is a series of internal controls and quality assurance techniques established to verify the accuracy, validity, and reliability of data. Programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) must collect and report accurate data and program information to ensure reported performance outcomes accurately reflect actual performance. The United States Departments of Labor and Education, require states to validate the accuracy of their annual performance report submissions to ensure decisions about Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act policy and funding are made based on a true picture of program outcomes.

Data validation includes a series of internal controls and quality assurance techniques that must be carried out by the State and local programs to:

• Verify data reported by the State is valid, accurate, reliable, and comparable across programs
• Identify anomalies in the data and resolve issues that may cause inaccurate reporting
• Outline source documentation required for common data elements 
• Improve program performance accountability through the results of data validation efforts

Data Integrity Review

Quarterly performance reviews are completed to evaluate for data errors, missing data, out of range values, and anomalies. These reviews are to assure compliance with applicable Federal requirements, and programmatic performance expectations are being achieved.

Data Validation Review

Annual data element validations are conducted to ensure the data elements in participant records are accurate in order to maintain system integrity, ensure completeness of data, and to identify and correct specific issues associated within the reporting process. The effectiveness of the data validation process will be assessed annually and revisions will be made as needed.

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) Responsibilities 

When conducting data validation review, IWD will:

• Conduct data element validation on DOL-only elements.
• Implement a sampling methodology of participant files and provide annual data validation training for appropriate program staff.
• Provide annual data validation by conducting a file review of data elements against source documentation.
• Provide a summary of data validation results to Local Workforce Development Boards to include technical assistance when needed.
• Provide an annual review of the effectiveness of the data validation policy and process and make necessary revisions as needed to improve data validation in the State.

Joint Data Validation

The State WIOA core partners are required to ensure annual data element validation on the 24 common data elements when co-enrollment exists. These elements were selected based on their importance to reporting accurate performance outcomes and to ensure data consistency across core programs. IWD will provide:

• Annual data validation by implementing a sampling methodology of participant files and conducting a file review of the 24 common data elements against source documentation.
• Annual data validation training for appropriate program staff.
• A summary of data validation results to Local Workforce Development Boards to include technical assistance when needed.

An annual review of the effectiveness of the data validation policy and process and make necessary revisions as needed to improve data validation in the State.