Youth School Engagement

Youth School Engagement

The second DCYF education outcome goal is that youth are engaged in school. Youth who feel more connected or committed to school are more likely to achieve positive academic outcomes and are less likely to experience mental health issues.

Engagement in school can be measured by the Healthy Youth Survey’s index of engagement in school, which captures information on decision-making opportunities at school, one-on-one opportunities with teachers, opportunities to work on special projects, extracurricular opportunities, and feeling a part of class activities or discussions. Results show that youth who live with their parents/guardians are more likely to report high levels of school engagement than youth not living with their parents/guardians.

10th Graders with High Levels of School Engagement, by Living Situation, 2023

  Bar chart showing percent of 10th graders in 2023 who had high levels of school engagement, by whether they lived with their parents/guardians. That year, 70.9% of those who lived with their parents/guardians had high levels of school engagement, compared to 58.5% of those who did not live with their parents/guardians
Child Outcome Goal
Child Welfare
Youth
Youth School Engagement