Out of School Youth
Who qualifies as Out of School Youth?
Out of School Youth are a population that in the narrowest sense represents 19-21 year old migrant youth who have not graduated from high school , have not received a high school equivalency diploma, and/or have not passed the GED examination.
The most at-risk of the Out of School Youth are probably those new immigrant
students who fit the profile of “emancipated youth”. They
have immigrated to the United States in order to work, and may in some
cases have no more than two to three years of schooling in their native
country.
In the broader view, this population would include migrant students who
are younger than 19 years of age and have already dropped out. The population
also includes high school students who are not attending regularly. Finally,
an inclusive profile would also include students who might be currently
enrolled, but who are so deficient in credits that they will not be able
to earn a high school diploma by the age of 18. We are not addressing
students here who might just be a little overage for their grade placement.
We are, rather, including students who might have 12 to 15 credit deficiencies
(or more) on their transcript, and for whom an alternative program or
placement might be indicated.
Why are Services to Out of School Youth so important?
There are several reasons why the Migrant Education Program focuses on this population. The first is that these students have unique needs resulting from their migrant lifestyle. They face all the obstacles to education encountered by other migrant students, and then more.
Services to this population are frequently unavailable in traditional K-12 systems. Additionally, the Out of School Youth are at times either unaware of existing services or unmotivated to take advantage of them. With the current focus in California on high-stakes accountability, these youth may often be the first to be pushed out and the first to be forgotten. These students need an advocate, someone who can both motivate them and help them access needed services. Often these students must first be convinced of the importance of an education. They must also be reminded that they are educable, and that their future depends on further education. They may have received a message, either directly or indirectly, that they did not fit in a traditional secondary system, or that they were not capable of completing an education.
It should be pointed out that there is a societal cost to be considered here. These students will become adults in the near future—with or without an education. If they do not further their education, and if they do not acquire needed life skills and vocational skills, then the price will be high both for the individual and the society at large. A small investment of time and effort on the part of dedicated Migrant Education Program staff can make all the difference for these students. And the benefit to society for each student who is identified, counseled, encouraged, and who re-enters the educational arena is huge.
What are the obstacles faced by Out of School Youth?
There are many obstacles, and the scope and nature of the obstacles varies with each individual student. Some of these students have basic needs in the areas of housing, food, clothing, and transportation. If the student is a de facto “emancipated youth”, then his or her day-to-day existence may be consumed with efforts to address basic needs.
Health needs are another area that should not be ignored. Out of School Youth may be in need of medical, vision, and or dental care. There may also be a need in the area of health education. Basic nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices, proper dental care, drug and alcohol awareness, and information in regards to sexually transmitted diseases can help many of these students make healthy lifestyle changes. Both males and females may need additional sex education, and some females may be in need of need of medical care for both themselves and their child(ren). As is the case with many migrant students and families, assistance in obtaining medical insurance can make a huge difference in their lives.
Beyond the basic medical necessities, there are often needs in the mental health arena. Very often there is the issue of social isolation which results from the lifestyle of the Out of School Youth. Students may need individual or group counseling, and may be more likely to suffer from depression. There may be other complicating mental health issues that need to be addressed. Self-esteem is an area that presents challenges not just to this population.
Not to be ignored are issues of citizenship and transportation. Students may need further information in regards to establishing legal residency and or pursuing United States citizenship. A certain percentage of qualifying Out of School Youth may lack a driver’s license. The need may be to obtain study materials, to find Spanish-language materials, to locate a driver’s education course, and/or simple assistance with the application and testing for a driver’s license through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The language barrier can be a huge issue for many Out of School Youth. If the young adult is monolingual in the native language, simple access to ESL and literacy classes can make a big difference. The acquisition of English skills may be the first step along a path back into the mainstream of society. Depending on the previous educational level of the student, literacy support can provide the mechanism that allows the student to acquire the most basic skill necessary to further their education.
Motivational factors should not be ignored. Guidance and counseling may be the most crucial of all services to be provided. Students may have a short-term view of their future, and may not be used to looking at their life as a continuum, one in which daily decisions impact the long term outlook. The issues that may need to be addressed can be motivational in nature. There is frequently a need for the young adult to understand the long-term economic impact of his/her decisions. At that point aptitude screening and vocational counseling can help the student better understand his or her own strengths, as well as assist the student in developing a game plan for further education.
Referrals and linkages can help students locate and gain access to the right educational placement. That might be an alternative high school. It might involve an adult education program. Some students may need basic ESL support initially. There may be an appropriate ROP or vocational program. And some students may benefit from a course of study at a community college in their community.
What does Region 1 plan to do to address the needs of Out of School Youth?
The outreach and services to Out of School Youth have only recently begun to blossom in Region 1. We have just begun to properly identify and recruit this population. We have an identified Out of School Youth population of nearly 1,200 students—with more than 800 19-21-year-olds. That count, however, in no way represents anything close to full capacity. It does represent a first step on the road to effective outreach.
We have developed an Out of School Youth Profile form to be used by local staff as they begin working with this population, and updated that form several times. The purpose of the profile is to inform staff in regards to the needs and interests of the students. We also are tracking assessment rates and specific services to students. More information is still needed on participation rates and completion rates for various programs and services. We need an assessment and accountability model that both keeps us focused on the needs of the individual students and allows us to set meaningful goals for implementation of this component. An Ad Hoc Committee has been convened to consider the needs of these students and identify desired outcomes for this population regionally.
What can you do to help?
The needs of this population demand a team approach. None of us can do an adequate job of both reaching out to Out of School Youth and addressing their needs in isolation. We encourage you, whether you are a local school district providing services to migrant students, a community agency, or an alternative education provider to contact the regional office. We will be reaching out to all of our potential partners. If your mission includes services to this population, please do not hesitate to contact Oscar Lamas in the Region 1 Office, Santa Clara County Office of Education.
