Federal Resources

The Department of Labor conducted an analysis that examines how the relationship between high school courses and college attendance may have changed between the late 1970s and the late 1990s. As time progressed, students began taking more rigorous coursework and that became a high predictor of who was likely to attend college. In the late 1970s, however, fewer students took advanced courses and the rigor of the courses did not seem to be a determining factor in college attendance. 

This news release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides new data collected on the college enrollment and work activity of high school graduates in 2013. The news release reports that in October 2013, 65.9 percent of high school graduates in 2013 were enrolled in colleges or universities, and recent high school graduates who were not enrolled in college were more than twice as likely as enrolled graduates to be working or looking for work.

Job Corps is the nation's largest career technical training and education program for students ages 16 through 24.

The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability, which is supported by the Department of Labor, features information on its website that answers the question, “What is an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP)?” Readers can learn when an ILP is used, what information it contains, and how students can use ILPs to map interests and goals as they relate to future education and employment opportunities.

The Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) was authorized by Congress in the Department of Labor's FY 2001 appropriation. ODEP provides information for families, professionals, and communities on transitioning youth with disabilities into training and employment opportunities.

This report compiles six articles that give education and training practitioners practical suggestions for applying SCANS in classrooms and the workplace.

1. SCANS in Schools
2. Implementing SCANS: First Lessons
3. Students use SCANS to Explore Changing Jobs: Lessons of InidianaPLUS
4. Prepearing Limited English Proficiency Students for the Workplace
5. Technology and High Performance Schools: A SCANS Survey
6. Assessment of the SCANS Competencies, Some Examples

The Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy provides a resource focused on how schools and employment opportunities can teach soft skills, specifically for students with disabilities. Relevant soft skills, as mentioned in the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills, include: teamwork, problem solving, effective use of resources and effective coommunication. 

Youthbuild provides an alternative education pathway that encourages youth to obtain a high school diploma or GED, while advancing toward employment while developing leadership skills and serving the community.

Co-written by teens for teens, this resource can help youth with disabilities (PDF, 16 pages) think about their options for life after high school. It provides information on post-graduation options and guides students in making choices that are right for them, finding activities that can help them get ready now, and accessing supportive services.

This guide describes strategies postsecondary professionals can use to assist all students, including those with disabilities, to develop personal competencies that will increase their chances of success. 

These technical assistance guides assist collaborations among DOL, ED, states, local workforce development areas, other workforce and education partners, and social service providers with serving out-of-school youth. Specifically, strategies are included in the guides for serving out-of-school English learners, current and former foster youth, and justice-involved youth. 

This report, developed by Jobs for the Future, highlights the findings of a survey of 38 community colleges on apprenticeship program design, occupations, and participant diversity. It also provides recommendations for four areas of focus for organizations partnering with community colleges to expand apprenticeship initiatives. 

This fact sheet describes a joint commitment from multiple federal departments to align supports and program delivery to promote college access and completion. The guidance will support colleges and universities in their efforts to expand college opportunity. 

The Bureau of Indian Education provides quality education opportunities from early childhood through life in accordance with the tribes' needs to cultural and economic well being in keeping with the wide diversity of Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages as distinct cultural and governmental entities. The Bureau considers the whole person (spiritual, mental, physical and cultural aspects.)"

This site describes looking to the future, The Bureau of Land Management's youth initiatives. These initiatives feature a variety of programs that engage, educate, and inspire and focus on youth from early childhood through young adulthood. The aim of the youth programs is to build on the spark of childhood wonder about the natural world, sustain interest through hands-on education and volunteer experiences during the school-age years, and develop into long-term engagement and stewardship, as well as pursuit of natural resource careers.

In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Let’s Move!, First Lady Michelle Obama is encouraging people to give out high-fives when they see someone making healthy choices. The First Lady is also asking Americans to #GimmeFive for things they are doing lead a healthier life by posting their accomplishments on social media and challenging friends and family to do the same. 

First Lady Michelle Obama invited 50 Girl Scouts from Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Oklahoma, and Washington, DC, to participate in the first-ever White House Campout on the South Lawn. This event celebrated the National Park Service centennial, and promoted getting kids and families outdoors as part of Let's Move! Outside. 

This website provides a one-stop shop for American Indians and Alaska Natives to access resources available from the federal government. Users can complete a prescreening questionnaire to determine their eligibility criteria for resources and programs and learn how to apply. Resource categories include youth, education, food, employment, loans, and environment. 

Summer is a time for having fun outdoors, but teens must be aware of sun safety and air quality in order to avoid injury and aggravating chronic conditions. These federal resources can help young people — and the adults who work with them — stay safe while enjoying the summer months:

• The Environmental Protection Agency’s ultraviolet (UV) index forecasts can help users prepare for, and avoid excess, UV exposure.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Sun Safety for America’s Youth Toolkit has sun-safe policies for community programs.
• Use Airnow.gov to track local air quality and prepare accordingly for outdoor activities for youth with asthma.

This website allows users to contact and participate in peer-to-peer learning and sharing with school districts in their area that have earned the distinction of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) champions by the EPA for their achievements in improving IAQ. 

The National Prevention Council released its 2014 Annual Status Report. The report illustrates progress in implementing the National Prevention Strategy and highlights the collective impact of the federal government and its partners to improve the health and quality of life for individuals, families, and communities

This special report on young adults in the United States, ages 18-24, includes data from nationally representative, federally sponsored surveys. Data are summarized under five key themes: education; economic circumstances; family formation; civic, social, and personal behavior; and health and safety. 

Kids.gov is the official kids' portal for the U.S. government. It links to over 2,000 web pages from government agencies, schools, and educational organizations, all geared to the learning level and interest of kids.

This report illustrates how the 17 departments that make up the National Prevention Council are incorporating prevention into their work to improve the health of all Americans and meet the goals set forth in the National Prevention Strategy.

This website provides articles, videos, tools, and other resources on bullying prevention.