Child Trends'
Child Indicator newsletter
compiles new developments and resources within the child and youth
indicators field. The Fall 2012 edition focuses on the transition to
adulthood, developmental benchmarks for success on the pathway to the
middle class, indicators of flourishing youth, and brief updates for the
child indicators community.
A special feature, Transition to Adulthood, highlights challenges facing 18- to 24-year olds, as suggested
by several recent reports. Among the data presented are trends in
college-going, work, and living arrangements for this age group. Data
from recent studies show substantial gaps, by race and gender, in
post-secondary educational attainment. Ironically, a recent national
survey shows one-fifth to one-half of students in grades 4-12 think
school work is "too easy." Current models of high school and
post-secondary education are not meeting the needs of institutions, the
labor market, or youth themselves. The changing economy demands deeper
learning: skills in cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal domains.
One
recent report, Pathways to the Middle Class, illustrates the cumulative
nature of success (or failure) at key developmental transitions, from
birth to adulthood. Among the findings: girls have a better chance at
succeeding than boys, through adolescence; however, by early adulthood
men catch up and then exceed women in terms of economic success.
The
fall issue also highlights updates from Child Trends' Flourishing
Children Positive Indicators Project. Multiple constructs describe
flourishing youth. These include parental relationships, engagement in
education, diligence and reliability, generosity, goal orientation, and
satisfaction. The Project aims to establish the importance of positive
indicators within a well-being framework.
The
latest America's Children and KIDS COUNT reports, new global progress
on HIV/AIDS among children, and a new Census Bureau online tool are also
noted in this edition of The Child Indicator.
Child Trends produces and distributes The Child Indicator with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
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