Q: I would be grateful if you could point me to a succinct explanation of “The Lern Model” (for managing a community college?).
A: There are 5 key areas of the LERN model that should be understood. While each of these areas, listed below, can be considered in substantial detail, I have given you an outline of these areas and why they are important. I have also attached some additional documents that will expand upon what is provided here.
1. Financial Format: LERN has developed a financial format which continuing education programs should use if they are concerned with operating in a self-sufficient way. Becoming more self-sufficient is critical in these days of shrinking resources. Model, based on benchmarks from the most successful programs provides a guideline for financial operations that will result in positive financial results.
2. Ideal Staffing Model: The LERN staffing model is designed to minimize duplication and inefficiency and to maximize productivity, communication, and to create efficient processes and procedures. The implementation of this model, with appropriate tweaks to accommodate organizational realities can result in substantial reduction in costs for staffing and can also contribute to increased income.
3. 8-Step Needs Assessment Process: This is a product/program development model which provides a rationale and pathway for conceptualizing, testing and implementing new ideas, using a process that will maximize the potential for success of new endeavors.
4. One Year Marketing Plan: This plan, which draws upon information generated in the previoulsly listed areas serves as a roadmap to acheive specific goals and outcomes. While LERN refers to this as a marketing plan, others have sometimes called it a strategic plan or a business plan.
5. Key Ratios: LERN has benchmarked the most successful organizations over the past 30 years, in an ongoing process of analysis and evaluation. Based on this information, LERN has created key ratios or performance benchmarks for our industry. By implementing these benchmark performance ratios, continuing education programs can be assured of greater stability and success.
Of course, there is a great deal of content within each of these five areas. The best way to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to use this model is to participate in LERN's Program Planning Institute. The PMI is offered both online and in a face-to-face setting, and the LERN annual conference offers a track which focuses on these areas. Those who successfully complete the PMI earn LERN certification as a Certified Program Planner, or CPP.
http://media.lern.org/webinars/Ideal-Percentages-CPE.pdf
http://media.lern.org/webinars/LERN-Formulas.doc
http://media.lern.org/webinars/LERN-Staffing-model.pdf
http://media.lern.org/webinars/One-Year-Marketing_Business-Plan.docx