This dataset includes annual estimates of school enrollment and employment status for persons ages 16-19. Employed and unemployed are defined by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey as following. Employed – This category includes all civilians 16 years old and over who either (1) were “at work,” that is, those who did any work at all during the reference week as paid employees, worked in their own business or profession, worked on their own farm, or worked 15 hours or more as unpaid workers on a family farm or in a family business; or (2) were “with a job but not at work,” that is, those who did not work during the reference week but had jobs or businesses from which they were temporarily absent due to illness, bad weather, industrial dispute, vacation, or other personal reasons. Excluded from the employed are people whose only activity consisted of work around the house or unpaid volunteer work for religious, charitable, and similar organizations; also excluded are all institutionalized people and people on active duty in the United States Armed Forces. Unemployed – All civilians 16 years old and over are classified as unemployed if they (1) were neither “at work” nor “with a job but not at work” during the reference week, and (2) were actively looking for work during the last 4 weeks, and (3) were available to start a job. Also included as unemployed are civilians who did not work at all during the reference week, were waiting to be called back to a job from which they had been laid off, and were available for work except for temporary illness. Examples of job seeking activities are: • Registering at a public or private employment office • Meeting with prospective employers • Investigating possibilities for starting a professional practice or opening a business • Placing or answering advertisements • Writing letters of application • Being on a union or professional register Labor Force includes those who are employed and unemployed but does not include those who are unemployed and are not seeking to work.

Tags: youth, education, unemployment