From the Prison Track to the College Track: Pathways to Postsecondary Success for Out-of-School Youth

Ideally, between the ages of 16 to 24 young people become confident, competent learners as they solidify academic, interpersonal, and social skills, explore future options, and develop a realistic sense of what it will take to make such options a reality. But the so-called “pipeline to college” is leaking badly, particularly for minority and low-income youth. JFF’s Lili Allen, Cheryl Almeida, and Adria Steinberg examine learning environments that appear to hold particular promise for vulnerable and potentially disconnected youth. They conclude with a discussion of policy opportunities for creating multiple avenues for young people to achieve to higher standards.