This report is the second in a series of three impact reports of a youth mentoring/drop-out prevention program demonstration for youth at risk of entering the workforce without the technical and work-readiness skills that are demanded by the business community of their entry-level employees. The primary goals of the demonstration were to increase the high school graduation rate and the rate at which youth enroll in postsecondary education or training. Eligible youth could participate in the program for up to five years, were matched with a youth mentor, and could engage in a range of extracurricular educational and recreational activities.

The latest findings reveal that participation in the program did not increase the likelihood of completing high school with either a diploma or a General Equivalency Degree. On the other hand, the Quantum Opportunity Program (QOP) significantly increased the likelihood of ever engaging in postsecondary education or training. In particular, younger youth who participated in QOP significantly increased their likelihood of attending postsecondary education or training, a finding that was largely attributable to increased college attendance. Youth who did not participate in QOP were more likely to have a job and work at least 35 hours per week, reflecting the fact that QOP youth were more likely to be enrolled in college or engaged in some other postsecondary education or training activity.

The third and final report in this series will include impacts approximately five years after youth were scheduled to complete high school, and should be available in early 2006.