Out of School Youth
OSY are individuals who are not currently enrolled in school and do not have a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
The goal of the ESC 20 MEP is for all migrant OSY and Here to Work Youth to achieve positive outcomes, including the completion of a secondary education which can prepare them for college or assist them in becoming a productive member of the workforce.
Some typical reasons why OSY drop out include: working to contribute to the family income; lack of transportation; pregnancy and lack of childcare. These causal factors contribute to students falling behind in their studies, failing courses and state assessments exams which hinder their progress toward graduation.
OSY criteria:
- Under the age of 22;
- Does not have a high school diploma or GED;
- Is not participating in any educational services;
- Has moved across district or state lines to obtain temporary or seasonal employment or seasonal employment in fishing or agriculture
Support services based on educational need:
- Credit recovery to assist in completing high school;
- Adult Education programs;
- Workforce Solutions (WIA Youth Program, Child Care, OJT’s, Career Counseling);
- Migrant Head Start programs for children and parents;
- Head Start programs for infants and toddlers;
- Other community resources.
Services to OSY are based on individual needs expressed in the Student Profile/Needs Assessment form. Contact our office for more information regarding services/resources for OSY.
Resources for Out-of-School Youth
Adult Basic Education (ABE)
The Adult Basic Education Program is for students who are not proficient in reading, writing, or math skills.
This term does NOT apply to individuals of limited English Proficiency.
The purpose of the program is to increase basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, with an emphasis on helping students develop critical thinking skills.
Adult Secondary Education (ASE) Classes
Adult Secondary Education classes include basic education and preparation classes for any of the Texas Certificates of High School Equivalency. There are now three high school equivalency testing options in Texas: the GED test, the HiSET exam, and the TASC test. Upon the successful completion of a single provider's exam, the test taker will be issued a State of Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency. ASE classes also integrate the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and self-sufficiency.
Requirements
You are eligible for classes if you are:
- 19 years or older
- 17/18 years of age
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- School/district withdrawal documentation, Parent letter stating student was home schooled, OR Completed Self-Attestation Form. Parent/Guardian permission
- Parent/Guardian signature on Student Enrollment Form, OR Completed Self-Attestation Form
- 16 years of age: Court order, letter from judge, or letter from guardian agency that orders the student to AEL services. In addition, a signature or letter from the public agency that has supervision or custody of the 16-year-old individual under a court order is required to approve the use of that individual's information and to acknowledge the validity of the information on the enrollment form.
Resources for OSY through the IDRC
IDRC (Identification and Recruitment Consortium) is one of four Office of Migrant Education (OME)-funded Consortium Incentive Grants. The mission of IDRC is to develop resources, strategies, best practices, and creative solutions whose purpose is to improve and enhance ID&R activities in 32 IDRC member states.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provides online courses to eligible students through the Texas Virtual School Network (TXVSN). The TXVSN is made up of two components—the course catalog and the full-time online schools.
Texas ChalleNGe Academy is a 5 1/2-month residential academy sponsored by the Texas National Guard. It is a tuition free educational program for 16 to 18-year-old teens who are disengaged in school, and offers academic instruction, provides structure, and discipline to help cadets develop personal accountability and become successful adults.
The mission of the Texas ChalleNGe Academy is to reclaim the potential of at-risk youth through education, training, mentoring and service to community.
The vision of the Texas ChalleNGe Academy is to be recognized as the state's premier program for the alternative education of at-risk youth and high school dropouts.
Job Corps is the nation's largest career technical training and education program for young people ages 16 through 24. Students can earn a high school diploma, a high school equivalency credential, or college credits through Job Corps.
We offer career technical training in more than 100 career areas. Students receive housing, meals, basic health care, a living allowance, training, and preparation for a career, all at no cost. For up to 2 months after graduation, a career transition counselor will help your student make the transition from Job Corps into the real world.
iSOSY is a Consortium Incentive Grant funded by the Office of Migrant Education (OME) at the United States Department of Education (USDE) to build capacity in states with a growing secondary-aged migrant out-of-school youth population.
