TEGL 12-97 Attachment 2

YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY ENHANCEMENT DEFINITIONS

"Youth Employability Enhancement" means an outcome for youth, other than entered unsubsidized employment, which is recognized as enhancing long-term employability and contributing to the potential for a long-term increase in earnings and employment.

Outcomes which meet this requirement shall be restricted to the following:

(1)  Attained PIC-Recognized Youth Employment Competencies (two or more reported from SPIR);

(2)  Returned to Full-Time School;

(3)  Remained in School;

(4)  Completed Major Level of Education; or

(5)  Entered Non-Title II Training.

1. Attained PIC-Recognized Youth Employment Competencies - A youth who demonstrated proficiency, as defined by the PIC in two or more of the following three skill areas in which the terminee was deficient at enrollment: 1) pre-employment/work maturity; 2) basic education; or 3) job-specific skills. Competency gains must be achieved through program participation and be tracked through sufficiently developed systems that must include: quantifiable learning objectives, related curricula/training modules, pre and post-assessment, employability planning, documentation, and certification. The completely detailed definition for Youth Employment Competency systems is located in the Standardized Program Information Reporting System (SPIR) instructions.

2. Returned to Full-Time School - A youth who: (1) had returned to full-time secondary school (e.g., junior high school, middle school and high school) including alternative school if, at the time of intake, the participant was not attending school (exclusive of summer school) and had not obtained a high school diploma or equivalent; and (2) prior to termination, had been retained in school for one semester or at least 120 calendar days after becoming a participant in the JTPA program.

   Alternative School - A specialized, structured curriculum offered inside or outside of the public school system which may provide work/study and/or GED preparation.

   NOTE: To obtain credit for Returned to Full-Time School and Remained in School (described below), SDAs must be prepared to demonstrate that retention results from continuing, active participation in JTPA activities and the youth must: (1) be making satisfactory progress in school; and (2) (for youth aged 16-21) attain a PIC-approved Youth Employment Competency in Basic Skills or Job-Specific Skills; and (3) (for youth aged 14-15) attain a PIC-approved Youth Employment Competency in Pre-employment/Work Maturity or Basic Skills.

   Satisfactory Progress in School - An SDA, in cooperation with the local school system, must develop a written policy which defines an individual standard of progress that each participant is required to meet. Such a standard should, at a minimum, include both a qualitative element of a participant's progress (e.g., performance on a criterion-referenced test or a grade point average) and a quantitative element (e.g., a time limit for completion of the program or course of study). This policy may provide for exceptional situations in which students who do not meet the standard of progress, because of mitigating circumstances, are nonetheless making satisfactory progress during a probationary period.

3. Remained in School - A youth who, prior to termination, had been retained in a full-time secondary school, including alternative school, for one semester or at least 120 calendar days after becoming a participant in the JTPA program. The youth must be attending school at the time of intake, have not obtained a high school diploma or equivalent, and be considered "at risk of dropping out of school" as defined by the Governor in consultation with the State Education Agency.

4. Completed Major Level of Education - An adult or youth who, prior to termination, had completed, during enrollment, a level of educational achievement which had not been reached at entry. Levels of educational achievement are secondary and postsecondary. Completion standards shall be governed by State standards and shall include a high school diploma, GED Certificate or equivalent at the secondary level, and shall require a diploma or other written certification of completion at the post-secondary level.

   NOTE: Completion of a major level of education must result primarily from active JTPA program participation of at least 90 calendar days or 200 hours, usually prior to such completion.

5. Entered Non-Title II Training - An adult or youth who, prior to termination, had entered an occupational skills employment/training program or postsecondary education not funded under Title II of the JTPA, which builds upon and does not duplicate training received under Title II. NOTE: The participant must have been retained in that program for at least 90 calendar days or 200 hours or one academic quarter or must have received a certification of occupational skill attainment. During the period the participant is in non-Title II training, s/he may or may not have received JTPA services.