In this paper we will briefly review recent trends in employment outcomes for disadvantaged youth, focusing specifically on those who have become "disconnected" from school and the labor market, and why these trends have occurred. We then review a range of policy prescriptions that might improve those outcomes. These policies include: 1)…

In this issue brief, the authors explore how former foster youth in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa are faring in the labor market and what explains the variability in employment outcomes for these youth. First, they describe trends in former foster youths' employment from age 17 to 24. Then, they consider how former foster youths' characteristics…

In this paper, youth workers's pay is compared with general wage growth and the wages of those undertaking similar work, and a case is made for pay parity to attract and keep competent workers in the youth sector. (Contains 3 notes.)

Discusses the debate over whether lowering youth wages would materially help the young unemployed to find jobs. The author sets out some of the theoretical and factual background to the debate, and gives references to the few serious inquiries made in the last three or four years. (CT)

This paper tests the hypothesis that the effect of minimum wage legislation on teenagers' education decisions is asymmetrical across family income classes, with the legislation inducing children from low-income families to reduce their levels of schooling and children from higher-income families to increase their educational attainment. (Author)

The purpose of the "State of the Literacy and Essential Skills Field" report is to provide an environmental scan showing the state of Literacy and Essential Skills (L/ES) across the country, from the perspective of the Canadian Literacy and Learning Network (CLLN) and its national network of partners, both within and outside the Literacy…

A seminar was held to examine the merits and feasibility of a subminimum wage for youth. Throughout the seminar panelists expressed general agreement on the fact that most youth want to work as well as on the value or potential value of employment and training programs, including the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) programs. In…

For the average out-of-school youth, teenage unemployment has little effect on the wages earned as an adult. There is indirect evidence that government training programs offset part of the effect of long-term teenage unemployment. (JOW)

Drawing on the Young Men's Cohort of the National Longitudinal Surveys, this study examines the long-run effects of teenage labor market experience on subsequent adult wages. The study expands on earlier work by considering the effects of both unemployment and job mobility during the period of transition from school to work. (Author/SSH)

Research into the wage determinants of adolescent workers investigated similarities to adult wage determination literature through a survey of 4,317 high school students in Washington. Gender and years in school were significant determinants of wages for the young workers as was family socioeconomic level. (Author)

The General Accounting Office (GAO) examined the long-term earnings and employment outcomes of Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) programs. Data from the National JTPA Study and annual earnings records from the Social Security Administration were used to calculate the average earnings and employment rates of four target groups (adult men, adult…

This study focuses upon the process of labor market entry of male youth in the context of the dual labor market theory. Essentially, the dual market theory contends that a large body of workers is involuntarily confined to substandard jobs in a "secondary" labor market which is separated from the mainstream, or "primary" sector…

This paper presents data showing that unions have a very substantial effect on the wages of young union workers, particularly young Blacks, but that they also have a negative effect on the wages of young Blacks who are not unionized. (Author/CT)

A study examined hourly earnings among Australian young people using three Youth in Transition cohorts from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth project (birth years 1961, 1965, and 1970). It considered correlations between hourly earnings and measures of social background and school factors, qualifications, and labor market history;…

Presents graphs showing employment and unemployment rates of 16 to 24 year olds by age, sex, and race from 1970-91, as well as types of employment obtained by young adults and median income. Also compares high school graduates and dropouts. (SK)