The White House Task Force for Disadvantaged Youth

Appendix B
Selected Youth Outcome Measures Currently Being Collected
(at least nationally)

The following tables provide a set of candidate common outcome measures for youth programs in selected service areas. These are expressed in terms of the "after-the-service level." For programs that provide services to specific identifiable disadvantaged youth, it is also desirable to include measures such as "Percent of clients whose condition improved by at least a pre-specified amount from the time the client began receiving the program’s services."

The data for many of these measures are currently collected and reported at the national level. However, usually that data are not directly applicable to individual federal programs. Nevertheless, these same measures appear to be readily adaptable to use for individual programs and their clients. This is likely to require new data collection effort on the part of many programs, such as to conduct surveys of their clients using selected items from the survey instruments used by the federal national surveys.

Wherever appropriate, it will likely be preferable to use measures that closely approximate ones already in use. This means that at least some of the methodological problems have already been worked out and in the case where the measure provides national data, will provide already exiting benchmarks. Thus, in the measures included below are versions the same as, or at least similar to, ones already in use somewhere at the federal, or in a few cases, at the state level.

There were many cases where slight variations of the same general measure were used or reported by different programs, causing potential problems in comparability. These variations are not included here, instead there is a generic phrasing of the measure. Some common reasons for such variation are:

Differences in the time period over which data are reported (such as calendar year versus fiscal year), or the time period over which an event or action (such as use of alcohol or drugs) occurred, such as during the past 30 days or the past 12 months;

Subtle differences in the population covered, such as "high school students" versus "youth ages 12-17" versus "students;"

Differences in the wording of response categories in survey questions that reflect the specific focus of a program. For example, a measure used by the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program is "percentage of students who reported being involved in a physical fight on school property." The measure can become more widely applicable by deleting the phrase "on school property."

Adoption of common core measures should not be used to restrain programs from using any other performance measures they believe would be useful to them. In the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program example noted above, if only the broader version of the measure is selected as a common measure, the program would still need to continue focusing on counts of the number of incidents occurring on school property.

Table 1: Indicators for Programs Seeking a Reduction in Alcohol Abuse

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/Data Source
Percent of youth ages 12-17 who reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days.	End.	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q11
Percent of high school students who reported any alcohol use on school property in the previous 30 days.	End.	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q43
Percent of youth ages 12-17 who reported binge drinking, having 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours, in the past 30 days.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or age	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q42
Percentage of youth who perceive that regular use of alcohol is harmful.	Int.	race/ethnicity, sex, or age	National Survey on Drug Use & Health (formerly called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse). SAMSHA.
Percent of High School Students who rode in a vehicle driven by someone drinking alcohol in the past 30 days.	Int.	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q10

Table 2: Indicators for Programs Seeking a Reduction in Drug Abuse

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/Data Source
Proportion of youth not using alcohol or any illicit drug within the last 30 days.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or age	National Survey on Drug Use & Health (formerly called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse). SAMSHA.
Percentage of students who reported using/not using illicit drugs in the previous 30 days. Illicit drugs include marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens (including LSD, PCP, and ecstasy (MDMA), amphetamines (including methamaphetamine), inhalants, and non-medical use of psychotherapeutics.	End	by grade - 8th, 10th or 12^th	Monitoring the Future Survey. National Institutes of Health.
Age of youth when they first used marijuana.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q45
Percentage of youth who perceive that regular use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is harmful.	Int.		Monitoring the Future Survey. National Institutes of Health.
Percentage of high school students who report being offered, sold or given an illegal drug on school property in the previous 12 months.	Int.	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q57
Percentage of youth ages 12-17 who reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q46
Percentage of high school students who reported using marijuana on school property in the previous 30 days.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q47
Percentage of youth ages 12-17 who reported using cocaine in the past 30 days.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q48
Number of youth treated for drug overdoses over the past X months.	End		None identified.
Percent of you reporting they have the skills and confidence to refuse alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and sex.	End		America's Promise Youth Indicators.

Table 3: Indicators for Programs Seeking a Reduction in Tobacco Use

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/ Data Source
The percentage of youth ages 12-17 who reported smoking a cigarette in the past 30 days.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q30
Percentage of students who reported smoking cigarettes daily in the previous 30 days	End	by grade - 8th, 10th or 12th. - further breakouts including gender and race within grades	Monitoring the Future Survey. National Institutes of Health.
The percentage of high school students who report any cigarette use on school property in the previous thirty days	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q33
Percentage of youth who perceive that regular use of tobacco is harmful.	Int.	race/ethnicity, sex, or age	National Survey on Drug Use & Health (formerly called the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse). SAMSHA.
Percent of youth reporting use of smokeless tobacco in past 30 days.	End	grade level and gender	Iowa Youth Survey. Iowa Department of Human Rights.

Table 4: Indicators for Programs Seeking a Reduction in Violence/Crime
(including reduction in Juvenile Delinquency and School Violence)

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/Data Source
Number/percent of juveniles who were arrested during the past 12 months.	End	gender, offense	Uniform Crime Reporting Program, FBI.
Number of violent crimes experienced at school by students ages 12-18	End	age, race/ethnicity, gender	National Crime Victimization Survey. Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Percent of children with law enforcement contacts who had no more law enforcement contacts after 12 months	End		None identified. NOTE: "Law enforcement contact" needs to be clearly defined.
Number of violent crimes experienced by youth ages 12 to 17. Serious violent crimes include aggravated assault, rape, robbery (stealing by force or threat of violence), and homicide	End	age, race/ethnicity, gender	National Crime Victimization Survey. Bureau of Justice Statistics. AND Uniform Crime Reporting Program, FBI.
Number/percent of students involved in serious disciplinary incidents in school.	End		Administrative data. Local Schools in the State of Minnesota. NOTE: "Serious disciplinary incidents" needs to be clearly defined
Percent of youth reporting they feel safe at school.	End	grade level and gender	Iowa Youth Survey. Iowa Department of Human Rights.
Percentage of students who reported having been suspended from school at least once in the past 12 months.	End		Kansas Communities that Care Survey.
Percent of youth reporting having been disciplined at school for fighting, theft, or damaging property during the past 12 months.	End	grade level and gender	Iowa Youth Survey. Iowa Department of Human Rights.
Percentage of students who reported being involved in a physical fight on school property	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q20
Percent of high school students that were threatened or injured with a weapon during the last 12 months on school property.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q16
Percent of high school students who carried a weapon (such as a gun, knife, or club) in the past 30 days	Int.	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q12
Number of days High School Students carried a gun during the last 30 days	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q13
Percent of High School Students who carried a weapon on school property in the past 30 days	Int.	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q14
Percent of High School students that missed school in the last 30 days because they felt unsafe at school, or unsafe going to or from school.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q15
Percent of youth reporting they have resolved conflict non-violently.	End		America's Promise Youth Indicators.

Table 5: Indicators for Programs Seeking Improvement in Academic Performance

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/Data Source
The percentage of 4th grade students scoring at or above the basic and proficient levels of the NAEP.	End	students' gender, race or ethnicity, highest level of parental education, and type of school (public or nonpublic)	Test record data. National Assessment for Educational Progress.
The percentage of 8th grade students scoring at or above the basic and proficient levels of the NAEP.	End	students' gender, race or ethnicity, highest level of parental education, and type of school (public or nonpublic)	Test record data. National Assessment for Educational Progress.
The percentage of 12th grade students scoring at or above the basic and proficient levels of the NAEP.	End	students' gender, race or ethnicity, highest level of parental education, and type of school (public or nonpublic)	Test record data. National Assessment for Educational Progress.
Percent of students in the program whose grade-level scores increased by at least X during the past school year.	End		None identified.
Percentage of all 12th grade students who scored 3 or higher on at least one AP English exam, on the AP American History exam, and on at least one AP science exam	End	race, gender	Program data. College Board Advanced Placement Program, NCES, ED.
The percentage of all 12th grade students who took at least one AP exam	End	race, gender	Program data. College Board Advanced Placement Program, NCES, ED.
Percent of students who agree with the statement "I try to do my best in school"	Int.	grade level and gender	Iowa Youth Survey. Iowa Department of Human Rights.
Percent of 14-18 year olds who believe that cheating occurs by half or most students	Int.		State of America's Youth Survey. The Horatio Alger Association.
Percent reporting they read just for fun.	Int.	grade level and gender	Iowa Youth Survey. Iowa Department of Human Rights.
Percent of students that plan to complete high school.	Int.	grade level and gender	Iowa Youth Survey. Iowa Department of Human Rights.
The average percentage of days that students attended school	Int.		Vermont Department of Education Records.
Percent of students on grade level	Int.		None identified.
Status school dropout rates for ages 16-24	End	race, ethnicity	Current Population Survey. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce. NOTE: Note: Status rates measure the proportion of the population who have not completed high school and are not enrolled at one point in time, regardless of when they dropped out.
Percentage of 8th grade students with disabilities who meet or exceed basic levels in reading and math, in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).	End	students' gender, race or ethnicity, highest level of parental education, and type of school (public or nonpublic)	Test record data. National Assessment for Educational Progress.
Percentage of students with disabilities who earn a high school diploma	End		Data Analysis System (DANS). Office of Special Education Programs, Department of Education. NOTE: This data source does not include GED counts
Percent of 16-24 year old high school graduates enrolled in college in the October following graduation	End	age, race, income	Current Population Survey. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce.
Percent of disadvantaged high school graduates enrolled in college in the October following graduation.	End		None identified.
Percent of children entering kindergarten who are rated by the school as ready to learn.	Int.		None identified.

Table 6: Indicators for Programs Seeking Increased Youth Participation in Community Service

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/Data Source
Percentage of high school students who participated in volunteer activities during the current school year	End	age, sex, race/ethnicity	National Household Education Survey. National Center for Education Statistics, Department of Education.
Involvement in school activities - The percentage of students who answered yes to the statement "There are lots of chances for students in my school to get involved in sports, clubs, and other school activities outside of class."	Int.		Kansas Communities that Care Survey
Percent of students who in the past school year provided at least an average of X hours per month of community service	End		None identified.
Percent of students who, 12 months after finishing school, reported having participated in some voluntary community service activity since leaving school.	End		None identified.
Percent of youth reporting they place a high value on helping other people	Int.		America's Promise Youth Indicators

Table 7: Indicators for Programs Seeking Effective Substance Abuse

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/Data Source
Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions by Primary Substance of Abuse	Int.	ages 0-11 and 12-17	Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). Office of Applied Studies, Substance Abuse Mental and Health Services Administration.
Percent of youth ages 12-17 who reported they are currently using an illicit drug that are receiving some form of treatment.	Int.		None identified.
Percent of youth who in the past 12 months dropped out of a drug treatment program.	Int.		None identified.
Percent of youth who had received treatment for substance abuse that as of X months after completion of the treatment were not using illicit drugs.	End		None identified.

Table 8: Indicators for Programs Seeking Increased Youth Self Sufficiency Skills

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/ Data Source
Number and percent who entered employment, enrolled in education, or entered a training program as of the first quarter after exit from school or from the particular outside-school program.	End		Unemployment Insurance Wage Records. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
Percentage of youth ages 16 to 19 who are neither enrolled in school nor working	Int.	gender, race	Current Population Survey. Census Bureau, Department of Commerce AND Bureau of Labor Statistics Data.
Number of youth who complete high school, GED, receive skills or job readiness training and/or secure employment.	End		None identified.
Percentage of youth who report having the ability to plan ahead and make choices.	Int.		America's Promise Youth Indicators.
Percent of graduating youth reporting that the training they received has given them the skills to take care of themselves.	Int.		None identified.
Percent of graduating youth reporting that the training they received gives them confidence that they will be able to get the kind of job they want.	Int.	grade level and gender	Iowa Youth Survey. Iowa Department of Human Rights.

Table 9: Indicators for Programs Seeking Improved Mental Health

Indicators	Int. or End Outcome?	Breakouts	Main Source/Data Source
Percent of children with serious depression or loneliness.	End		None identified.
Proportion of suicide attempts among youth grades 9-12	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q26
Number and percentage of children who considered suicide during the last 12 months.	End	race/ethnicity, sex, or grade (9-12)	CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q24
Percent of youth with "normal" levels of subjective well-being	End		None identified.
Percent of youth receiving mental health services who attain an improved level of functioning at discharge.	End		None identified.
Percent of youth receiving mental health services who attain an improved level of functioning 12 months after completion of the services.	End		None identified.
Percentage of children that felt so bad they stopped usual activities, during the last 12 months	End		CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Q23
Percentage of children with serious emotional disturbance who reside in a stable environment	End		None identified.
Percentage of children with serious emotional disturbance who attend school regularly	End		None identified.
Average days of inpatient residential treatment among children with serious emotional disturbance in grantee communities over the past year	End		None identified.
Percent of children in families receiving behavioral health services who experience an improved level of functioning at discharge.	End		Agency Reported Data. New Mexico Children’s Mental Health Agencies.
Number of teen deaths caused by suicide	End		National Vital Statistics System. National Center for Health Statistics.

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