Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory CYDL Project One Symposium K-12 and Post-Secondary Educational Experiences of Albertan Youth Jo Lamba, PhD Research Scientist, CYDL October 1, 2012

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory The CYDL is a research facility that links and analyzes administrative data from five child- and youth-serving ministries in Alberta The data are anonymous and population-wide The research results make unique contributions to the knowledge base, and can be used for integrated policy and program development and evaluation A key outcome of CYDL’s work is to inspire further policy-relevant research CYDL Overview Slide 2

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Data were from a single year (2008/09) 713,830 youth aged 12 to 24 years were included in the analyses Data came from 10 databases held by 5 ministries Several key indicators were available for each youth: agegender region of residencesocio-economic status mental health statuseducational achievement health service use Other indicators were database-specific Within- and cross-ministry analyses were carried out Project One Overview Slide 3

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Population characteristics – 272, 588 Albertan youth registered in Alberta’s K-12 education system in 2008/09 – 12 to 20 years – 49% female; 51% male K-12 Educational Experiences Slide 4

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Benefits of an education – Better employment outcomes – Access to resources, knowledge and support for positive health outcomes Educational achievement – Research shows that educational achievement varies by gender, socio- economic status, regional differences Context Slide 5

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Below expectations Meeting expectations Above expectations Not Applicable (not enough available data to assess achievement level) Project One Educational Achievement Construct Slide 6

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory age and grade (age-appropriate grade) special education codes provincial achievement test scores high school credits earned higher level courses, average grade in higher level courses high school diploma or certificate Rutherford scholarship eligibility school type Project One Educational Achievement Construct Slide 7

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Project One Educational Achievement Construct Slide 8

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 9

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 10

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 11

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 12

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 13

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Performing below educational expectations was also associated with youth who: – received Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) services, – were charged with an offence – were involved in corrections – received income support at any time during the year (2008/09) Educational achievement and other youth facing challenges Slide 14

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Population characteristics – 113, 154 youth enrolled in Alberta’s post-secondary institutions in 2008/09 – 17 to 24 years – 57% females; 43% males Post-Secondary Experiences Slide 15

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 16

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 17

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 18

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 19

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 20

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Select Findings Slide 21

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Students performing below educational expectations were more likely: to be male, to live in a lower SES status neighborhood, to have received services for a mental health condition, to visit an emergency room, or to be hospitalized during the year. Students facing challenges, such as those receiving in-care intervention services, receiving multiple charges, or receiving income support with barriers to full employment were the least likely to meet educational expectations. Summary – Educational achievement Slide 22

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Post-secondary participation was higher among females and youth living in the highest socio- economic neighborhoods. Youth not enrolled in post-secondary had higher levels of health service use Youth receiving intervention services or income support were over-represented in no credential programs. However, despite the challenges they face, a notable proportion are enrolled in certificate/diploma- or degree-granting programs. Summary – Post-secondary participation Slide 23

Alberta Centre for Child, Family and Community Research Child and Youth Data Laboratory Acknowledgements Slide 24

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Session A  Do you have further questions related to these project findings?  Are there data from the presentation that you find surprising or contrary to your perceptions? Why?  What might these findings mean for specific populations that your ministry serves?  Elaborating on the above, what implications or potential for policy or program improvements do you see arising from this presentation?  Are there findings that you think might not tell the whole story? Do you think there are data that may require more context?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Session B  How do you think things may have changed since these results from 2008/2009?  Are you aware of ways that your Ministry has been addressing some of the less favorable findings discussed in this presentation? Please share with the group.  Please share some of the emerging and persistent issues that you face in your policy, program, or service delivery area. Which of these may relate to issues for other ministries as well? ­ Do you see opportunity for additional analysis that may help address these? ­ What else do you need to know? ­ Elaborating on the above, what ideas for further research or questions would you like to see explored in future projects?