Building College and Career Pathways for High School Students: Youth CareerConnect, Impact Findings Report

In In 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) awarded $107 million in four-year grants to 24 applicants for the Youth CareerConnect (YCC) program, a high school–based program that blended academic and career-focused learning to better prepare students for both college and careers in high-growth industries that often rely on foreign workers. The program included employer partnerships and engagement, integrated academic and career curricula, work-based learning and exposure to the world of work, individualized career and academic counseling, small learning communities, and professional development. After four school years of enrolling students, 31,019 students in 130 high schools in 18 states and Puerto Rico had participated in the YCC program. DOL contracted with Mathematica and its subcontractor Social Policy Research Associates to conduct an evaluation of the YCC program that included both an implementation and impact study. This report summarizes findings from the impact study, including the impact of the YCC program on critical milestones and momentum points that can be achieved in high school and are associated with education and employment success.