Educators around the nation are considering pushing high school starting times back until later in the morning, based on evidence suggesting that amount of sleep and circadian rhythms play a part in adolescents' academic performance. While research confirms that adolescents do not get enough sleep and that insufficient sleep can negatively…

A 4-year study of 1,000 high school students found that they work increasingly through high school and for long hours. They move up to more complex work and receive increasing amounts of training. The way they describe their jobs and their subjective reactions suggest the employment provides developmental benefits. (SK)

Investigated the relationship between high school students' employment and school performance. Identified conceptual problems with prior research, using new data collection in a study that let researchers weigh the merits of the zero-sum model and the social psychological primary orientation model. Results found that these data were more…

Examined saving and spending behaviors of 1,619 employed high school seniors across the country. Found that savers were from families who saved and planned money use; necessity spenders were from families with fewer resources and greater financial difficulties; discretionary spenders felt money was important and were from families with higher…

A school transition project examined effects on sleep and circadian rhythms in a group of 25 youngsters shifting from an 8:25 a.m. junior high school starting time to a 7:20 a.m. high school starting time. The average amount of sleep on school nights fell substantially for 9th and 10th graders, and was below the amount required for normal…

Although at least one-third of U.S. high school students are employed, many parents, employers, and workers are confused or uninformed regarding the mix of federal and state laws that apply to young people in the workplace. This guide is a sourcebook on federal and state legislation that affects workers under the age of 18. It describes exactly…

The impact of four influences--family, peers, part-time employment, and school-sponsored extracurricular activities--on the achievement patterns of high school students is examined in this research study. The main purpose of the study was to identify the specific processes in each of the four areas by which students' academic engagement and school…

Presented is a booklet for teenagers about life planning. It discusses hopes and dreams that adolescents may have and gives tips for reaching goals. A sentence completion exercise is included to help readers set goals. Four important goals for teenagers are presented and discussed: (1) graduating from high school; (2) waiting to have a baby; (3)…

The Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC) sees a strong connection between the dropout decision and unemployment in the teen years and beyond. It developed JOBSTART, a model of a project giving youths a chance to work and focusing on educational remediation, occupational training strategies, and support services to dropouts. To…

The purpose of a research study was to describe the relationship between parental unemployment and adolescent employment realities and plans. Data were obtained through a survey of 2,297 seniors from 32 public, 5 alternative, and 2 private high schools in the State of Washington. Incidence of adult unemployment was found to be related to the…

This booklet for teenagers about life planning is presented in parallel English and Spanish versions with a special focus on young Hispanics growing up in America. It discusses hopes and dreams that adolescents may have and gives tips for reaching goals. A sentence completion exercise is included to help readers set goals. Four important goals for…

Administered questionnaires to 4,317 high school students to assess impact on adolescents of recessionary economic conditions. Results from subsample of 1,897 students with paying, part-time jobs revealed that older students worked more hours than did younger students, and adolescents with higher grade point averages or high family socioeconomic…

Students enrolled in high school "college prep" English courses (N=107) were compared to students enrolled in "regular" English courses (N=95). The gifted students were employed fewer hours, reported fewer incidents of conflict among family members, and rated the quality of their family relationships significantly higher than nongifted students.…

According to a 1989 survey of urban high school juniors' and seniors' work experiences, these young people derive strong meaning from working, despite limits to the socialization power of work in their lives. Nonwhites had the highest career aspirations, but both whites and nonwhites were unclear about college plans. Businesses and schools should…

Describes a needs assessment of public library services for young people in Berkeley, California, that resulted in the development of a training position for high school students at the Berkeley Public Library. Highlights include the assessment process, creating a service plan, youth at risk, and a job description of the training position. (SLW)