Ready News: Dec. 13, 2019

Conversation on Youth and the Science of Learning and Development 

The Forum for Youth Investment and the University of Pittsburgh School of Education recently co-hosted a convening for nearly 100 representatives from local organizations, national groups such as the National Urban League and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and afterschool alliances from states including Connecticut and California.

The focus of the meeting was the question of what would it look like if our social institutions were actually set up to address what we know from the science of learning and development on behalf of young people?

Learn more.

Opportunity Nation’s Index in Your Inbox: Looking at the Economy

The Opportunity Index uses 20 indicators across four dimensions to provide users with a numerical measurement of opportunity across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The four dimensions of community well-being are: the economy, education, health, and community. To better understand how each dimension and its indicators help to craft this unique score, the Forum will take a deep dive into each, identifying its impact on opportunity, implications for change, and policies that could help communities move forward.

The first dimension is the economy. The indicators included in the economy dimension are: jobs, wages, poverty, income inequality, assets, affordable housing, and internet access. The correlation between the economy and opportunity seems pretty clear; a robust economy supports increased wages and a strong labor force. But what does it mean when the economy scores fall; how does that impact opportunity? Lower economy scores may mean fewer jobs, decreased wages, increased poverty, less income equality, fewer assets and affordable housing, and fewer homes with internet access. The implications for this could also lead to poorer health outcomes among residents and slower and weaker economic growth, which may also correlate to higher rates of violence and crime. It is important to note that from 2016 to 2018 the economy score has steadily increased. More than half of states saw a decrease in poverty rates and unemployment and greater housing affordability; however, over half of the states saw a reduction in access to banking opportunities.

Read further into the economy dimension and its connections to opportunity.

Registration Now Open for the 9th Annual Ready by 21 National Meeting

The Forum is excited to be heading to Louisville, Kentucky, from April 15-17, 2020, for the 9th annual Ready by 21 National Meeting. Registration is now open, and until January 24 you can register at the early bird rate!

Every year, the Ready by 21 National Meeting brings together hundreds of leaders from around the country who are working to get all young people ready by 21 – for college, work, and life. These leaders have dedicated themselves to improving the odds for children and youth through collective impact initiatives, policy alignment, and program quality improvement.

Participants will hear strategies, research, and stories about partnering for better impact, aligning policies, improving program quality and performance, and embracing readiness in the pursuit of equity.

Learn more and register today.

Karen Pittman Featured in Podcast Series Highlighting Leading Voices in American Education, Health, and Child Development

Turnaround for Children just launched a new podcast, The 180, that will feature leading voices in American education, health, and child development. The 180 will explore how to transform 21st century education – how to turn it around – using 21st century science. The science explaining how children learn and develop is incredibly optimistic about what is possible for each and every child. If applied, it could unleash talent and potential in classrooms everywhere.

This week, the Forum’s CEO and co-founder Karen Pittman was featured. Karen explored the idea that if learning happens everywhere, how can our community-based programs – the ones outside the classroom that serve and engage our children and youth – use the Science of Learning and Development to rethink and redesign what kids do after the school day ends?

Listen to the episode.

Youth Employment & the Green Economy 
Conference Call and Discussion
December 17th, 2:00-3:00 pm EST
Call-In: 202-930-5663 no pin needed

Throughout 2019, the National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) along with several national partners discussed foundational principles and policies for the integration of opportunity youth into the growing green economy. Last month, NYEC released the “Principles for Green Economy Legislation and Investment” and a new webpage to guide the work.

A green economy is one in which forces of economic growth are aligned with economic sustainability and responsibility. Green jobs, which are aligned with the ultimate end of a green economy, are poised at current growth rates to increase by 10 million jobs in the United States over the coming years. Investing in the green economy’s workforce offers our field an opportunity to change the career outlook for opportunity youth as well as equitably and sustainably transform our society.

Learn more.