YouthBuild Blueprint: Classroom Education

One purpose of the YouthBuild program, according to WIOA § 171, is to help participants obtain the education and employment skills necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Through in-house services or partnerships, YouthBuild programs provide secondary education in an alternative school environment that emphasizes hands-on learning.

YouthBuild educators can find helpful tools for creative hands-on and project-based learning in the YouthBuild Education Toolkit. Consider assigning projects that participants can use as writing samples when applying to employment or secondary education opportunities.

Programs must offer participants education and related services and activities no less than 50% of the time and no more than 60% of the time that they participate in the program. YouthBuild classroom education services can include:

• Secondary education services and activities, and tutoring, study skills training, school dropout prevention, and credit recovery activities that lead to the attainment of a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent (including recognized certificates of attendance for individuals with disabilities)
• Language instruction for English learners
• Counseling for postsecondary education admission and financial aid

If you determine participant skills through pre-test/post-test, you must use tests approved by the US Department of Education (e.g., CASAS, TABE) for use in the National Reporting System for Adult Education (NRS). Note the NRS sunset date for each test. Learn more: Measurable Skill Gains Type 1a: Educational Functioning Levels

Potential Education Partners

• The K-12 education system, including public, private, and charter schools
• Adult education programs
• Two-year, four-year, and technical colleges and universities
• Registered apprenticeship programs and other training entities

Supportive Services for Classroom Education and Follow-Up

Some allowable supportive services are particularly relevant to classroom education:

• Assistance with educational testing (e.g. fees for GED, SAT)
• Reasonable accommodations for youth with disabilities (e.g. screen magnification software, large print textbook)
• Assistance with uniforms or other work attire, including items like eyeglasses
• Assistance with books, fees, school supplies, and other necessary items for students enrolled in postsecondary classes (e.g. textbooks for an advanced technical school class, college application fee)

Performance Reporting

Though HSD/GED attainment is not an independent WIOA performance indicator, it is included in the credential attainment rate.

Related Resources

• Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities

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• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2022
• Posted by: YouthBuild TA
• Posted in: YouthBuild