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The federal commitment to assisting young people through education, training, and employment programs is large and has grown substantially during the last decade. Expenditures exceed $9 billion annually for youth aged 14 to 22, a per capita expenditure off about $255. In real terms, federal outlays for youth education and employment programs have increased by over $3 billion since 1970, an increase off 185 percent on a per capita basis.

Despite this large federal expenditure, youth unemployment rates remain high. The jobs available to youth are often low paying and "deadend." Many young people do not complete high school, or have difficulty going on to postsecondary education.

During the next year, the Congress faces legislative and funding decisions that will shape the future character of federal youth policy. The reauthorization off postsecondary education and youth employment and training programs will be considered. Appropriation levels for all youth-oriented programs will be established. Efforts to improve the effectiveness of federal youth programs are likely to be undertaken.

In order to provide a background for these decisions, my testimony today focuses on:

• First, an overview of the present and future status of youth employment and education problems;
  
  
• Second, a review of the size and distribution of federal resources that are currently devoted to these problems; and
  
  
• Third, a brief review of the youth policy options that the Congress will likely consider this coming year.

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