National Youth Employment Coalition: Focus on Youth Results

Category 1 - Management for Quality | Category 2 - Programmatic Approach | Category 3 - Youth Development Competencies

STANDARDS

Working Outcomes
Academic Learning Outcomes
Productive Engagement Outcomes
Program-Specific Outcomes
Working Progress Measures
Academic Learning Progress Measures
Other Youth Development Progress Measures

Category 4 - Focus on Youth Results

Focus on Youth Results addresses standards for performance measurement: measuring, documenting and reporting youth outcomes and progress towards those outcomes. It explains why it makes sense to measure results; what to measure; who to measure; when to measure; and how to measure, in ways accepted by researchers and policy makers.

Quality programs focus on results. In Category 1 Management for Quality, Standard 1.5 Performance Accountability calls for setting measurable outcomes for youth performance. Category 4 addresses why it makes sense to measure results; what to measure; who to measure; when to measure; and how to measure, in ways accepted by researchers and policy makers.

For more details on the Standards, see the PEPNet Guide to Quality Standards for Youth Programs.
For more details on Results, see From Data to Results: The PEPNet Guide to Quality Standars for Youth Programs.

4.1 Working Outcomes

Work Readiness Credential Attainment
Youth have attained an employer-validated work readiness credential.
Placement in Unsubsidized Employment
Youth have been placed in unsubsidized employment (wages are paid by the employer, not the program; includes the military).
Retention in Unsubsidized Employment
Youth have remained in unsubsidized employment.

4.2 Academic Learning Outcomes

Literacy and Numeracy Gains
Youth have increased literacy or numeracy skills by one or more educational functioning levels (de.ned as Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English as a Second Language (ESL) functioning levels).
Credential Attainment - Secondary Education
Youth have earned a General Education Degree (GED). Youth have earned a High School Diploma.
Post-Secondary Placement
Youth have entered post-secondary education or advanced/occupational training.
Post-Secondary Retention
Youth have remained in post-secondary education or advanced/occupational training.
Credential Attainment - Post-Secondary
Youth have earned a post-secondary academic degree. Youth have earned an advanced/occupational training.

4.3 Productive Engagement Outcomes

Placement in Productive Engagement
Youth are engaged in unsubsidized employment, post-secondary education/advanced training or a combination of both.

Retention in Productive Engagement
Youth remain in unsubsidized employment, post-secondary education/advanced training or a combination of both.

4.4 Program-Specific Outcomes

This standard recognizes that programs may demonstrate other outcomes that they help youth achieve. These outcomes will vary from program to program, as they will be specific to the youth population served or program offerings or design.

4.5 Working Progress Measures
(Note: progress measures presented are examples; programs also may develop their own)

Job Search
Youth have gained competencies appropriate to securing employment.
Employability
Youth have gained competencies appropriate to maintaining employment.
Work Experience/Occupational Training
Youth have gained work experience. Youth have gained occupational skills for occupations in high demand locally.

4.6 Academic Learning Progress Measures
(Note: progress measures presented are examples; programs also may develop their own)

School Engagement
Youth have increased their engagement in school or have re-engaged in school.
Academic Achievement Youth have increased or gained literacy or numeracy. Youth have improved grades or grade point average (GPA). Youth have advanced a grade level. Youth have completed secondary educational requirements appropriate to personal/career goals.
College/Post-Secondary Awareness and Direction
Youth have completed preparatory steps for and/or gained access to post-secondary education/training.
Advancement in Post-Secondary Education/Training
Youth have advanced a level Youth have completed post-secondary education/training requirements appropriate to personal/career goals.

4.7 Other Youth Development Progress Measures
(Note: progress measures presented are examples; programs also may develop their own)

Connecting Progress Measures
- Youth demonstrate ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with supportive adults.
- Youth demonstrate ability to develop and sustain positive relationships with peers.
- Youth demonstrate ability to work productively with others.
- Youth demonstrate a sense of their own identity apart from others as well as a sense of being part of a greater whole.
- Youth demonstrate ability to access and navigate community institutions.
- Youth demonstrate ability to establish networks within the community.
Leading Progress Measures
- Youth demonstrate personal responsibility.
- Youth demonstrate positive civic engagement.
- Youth demonstrate leadership or leadership skills.
Thriving Progress Measures
- Youth demonstrate independent living skills.