Indicator: 49 - Youth Not in School and Not Working 

 

Why This Is Important

Parents are responsible for the welfare of their children, which includes providing for their
education and supporting a young person’s ability to gain employment. The detachment of
young people from school or the labor force, especially if it lasts for several years, increases
the risk that a young person, over time, will have lower earnings and a less-stable
employment history than his or her peers who stayed in school and/or secured jobs.

 

 

Where We Stand

Data in the above chart shows the estimated percentage of all youth aged 16-19 who were
not enrolled in school full- or part-time, and also not employed full- or part-time. There has
been little change in these levels since the mid-1990’s, with the gap between Maine and the
nation closing over time. Nationally, the percentages have been higher for girls, non-whites,
and youth aged 18-19 (for details on that, see America’s Children: Key National
Indicators of Well-Being , 2002 on-line at http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren).

 

Data Sources and Context

The data source for this indicator is special tabulations of U.S. Census Bureau Current
Population Survey microdata prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as published in
the Annie E. Casey Foundation, KIDS COUNT Data Books . The 2004 Data Book can
be accessed on-line at http://www.aecf.org.