This new American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) compendium publication describes programs that have been proven to help young people successfully complete high school and be prepared for success in postsecondary education and careers. These programs represent a wide range of interventions, including school-wide reform initiatives, community-based afterschool services, work-based learning opportunities, and college access programs. From an analysis of the included programs, the report identifies common programmatic and structural elements that may contribute to their effectiveness and summarizes key outcomes, such as the following:
- Aspects of college and career readiness are discussed
- Career-related outcomes that include career technical education training such as training programs or apprenticeship, which may lead to industry-certified credentials or degrees
- Positive outcomes regarding career academies—increased graduate rates, earnings
- Dual enrollment (Florida and New York City examples) are associated with an increase in high school graduation rates, college enrollment rates and persistence in college, along with increased likelihood of furthering education and higher first-year grade point averages.
- Evaluation of enhanced Math-In-CTE
 The publication also includes a logic model that illustrates the complexity of the process of preparing youth to succeed in careers, lifelong learning, and civic engagement, as well as the various systems and service providers that support youth at each step of the developmental pipeline.
Tags: career academies, dual enrollment, Integration, Post Secondary Access and Affordability, Standards