Wealth Inequality a Study of a Long Neglected Issue Affecting the Life Chances of American Youth — Rising Wealth Inequality
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Evaluation Forum Youth and the Postindustrial Future U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Issue 12, Summer 1997 Evaluation Forum Youth and the Postindustrial Future Issue 12, Summer 1997 U.S. Department of Labor Secretary, Alexis M. Herman Employment and Training Administration Acting Assistant Secretary, Raymond J. Uhalde Office of Policy and Research Gerard F. Fiala, Administrator A review journal for employment and training professionals focusing on policy analysis and evaluation research in occupational training, education, work and welfare, and economic development. Evaluation Forum n Issue 12 n Summer 1997 i This issue of Evaluation Forum is the last in the current series of journal issues sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Office of Policy and Research is in the process of considering options for the future. Any ideas, comments, or suggestions you may like to share with the editor or the sponsor should be directed to: Eileen Pederson Office of Policy and Research Employment and Training Administration U.S. Department of Labor fax: 202. 219.5455 ii Evaluation Forum n Issue 12 n Summer 1997 Table of Contents 1 American Social Policy Features An analysis of economic and sociocultural issues and trends, and their impact on American poverty policy, as a context for studying youth poverty. 5 A Generational Perspective on Young Adults Commentaries on critical differences between two generations of youth: youth of the World War II era, and youth of the 1980s and 1990s. 9 Rising Income Inequality and Poverty An analysis of the effect of global and domestic economic and technological change, family structure and poverty policies on economic equality and job opportunities for youth. 14 A Victim of Policy Neglect? Wealth Inequality A study of a long neglected issue affecting the life chances of American youth — rising wealth inequality. 17 Balancing Growth with Economic Equality A provocative analysis of the relationship between slow economic growth and increasing inequality. 18 Economic Inequality: A Comparative View A report on some of the striking results of the Luxembourg Income Study, based on data collected across twenty-five countries. 21 The commentaries of a panel of experts on youth development, education, Commentary training, and employment policies and programs: David Brown, National Governors Association Gary Burtless, The Brookings Institution Susan Curnan and Andrew Hahn, Brandeis University Robert Ivry, Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation Chris King, University of Texas Gary Walker, Public/Private Ventures, Inc. Alan Zuckerman, National Youth Employment Coalition 38 An Interview with William Julius Wilson Interview An interview with William Julius Wilson of Harvard University, based on his new edited book, Poverty, Inequality, and the Future of Social Policy. The interview focuses on Wilson’s research-based perspective on the implications of increasing employment challenges, growing income and wealth inequality, and rising poverty on the life chances of youth. Evaluation Forum n Issue 12 n Summer 1997 iii Evaluation Issues International Perspectives on Youth Issues 43 An Overview of Research on International Youth Issues and Activities An analysis of the current context of youth training and employment as it relates to economic and societal development and politics across industrialized and developing nations. 45 Youth Training A study of the training and labor market outcomes of youth in the U.S., Great Britain and Australia, based on three national longitudinal surveys. The Performance Measurement Movement 49 Performance Measurement and Continuous Quality Improvement A policy analysis focusing on the relationship between continuous quality improvement, a component of strategic planning, and evaluation research. 50 Challenges in Developing Performance Measures and Standards: The Case of Educational Skills Several exemplars illustrating the problems and possibilities in developing performance measures and standards. 52 Performance Measurement Systems and the National Performance Review A review of the major features of the Vice President’s National Performance Review, and its implications for strategic planning and evaluation. 56 Testing the Government Performance and Results Act Lessons learned in testing the national Government Performance and Results Act of 1993. 59 The Experiences of Other Countries with Performance Measurement The General Accounting Office’s study of performance measurement in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. 61 Performance Auditing and Evaluation Research An analysis of the auditing world’s new movement into performance auditing, tied to budgeting. 62 More Insights about Performance Auditing and Evaluation Research A review of an interview with the Financial Controller of the European Commission on the relationship between performance auditing and evaluation research. 64 Comments on the Performance Measurement Movement in Australia A perspective on Australia’s definition of performance management. 66 Comments on the Performance Measurement Movement in the Netherlands A viewpoint on the Netherlands’ version of performance management. 67 Improving Performance Systems in Supporting Program Goals A review of selected studies of performance management systems and their trade-offs, with recommendations for improvement. 70 The Potential Effects of Performance Standards Systems An extensive summary and analysis of recent studies on the effect of performance standards on the achievement of social program goals. iv Evaluation Forum n Issue 12 n Summer 1997 Alternative Evaluation Approaches 78 Testing the Use of Program Applicants in Studying the Net Effects of Social Programs A guest review by economist Ernst Stromsdorfer of a new book dealing with the potential effects of performance standards on the implementation of the intended goals of social programs. 80 Participatory Mixed-Method Evaluation A discussion of the advantages of considering a range of research designs and methods for studying youth issues and programs, based on a methodological approach used by the Tavistock Institute in London. 83 The European Commission’s Effort to More Effectively Structure Evaluation Activities A review of an evaluation guide developed by the European Commission for use in planning and monitoring evaluation activities, and judging the efficiency and effectiveness of European Union social and economic development programs. 87 U.S. Youth Initiatives and Program Evaluations: Selected Examples Resources A review of selected evaluations of youth programming. 90 Useful References on Youth-Related Issues and the Evaluation of Youth Programs A listing of analyses and studies by issue area, including selected international references. Evaluation Forum n Issue 12 n Summer 1997 v vi Evaluation Forum n Issue 12 n Summer 1997 Features Features nn Editors Introduction expectations defined what it meant to be American. It empowered people American Social Robert J. Samuelson, a columnist to think they could shape their own Policy for the Washington Post, talks about destiny. However, in the past twenty American unhappiness in the midst of years the rate of economic progress American success in his new book The has slowed beyond any era since the Important pieces of the fabric of Good Life and Its Discontents:The Civil War. The output of goods and ser- complex designs against which youth American Dream in the Age of Entitle- vices produced per hour of work has issues must be analyzed are provided ment. He claims we transformed the also slowed. Furthermore, although in Ronald B. Dear’s article on Social American Dream into the American rapid growth tends to benefit everyone, Welfare Policy: Trends and Issues in the Fantasy. A reasonable demand for slow growth apparently does not. Given new three-volume Encyclopedia of So- progress, he says, has become an ex- that the rate of economic growth and cial Work published in 1995. Dear is a cessive demand for perfection. Conse- productivity are the main determinants specialist in social welfare policy on the quently, our attitudes are shaped more of our living standards, these changes faculty of the University of Washing- by unattained ambitions than actual are shaping a new public malaise. ton’s Graduate School of Social Work, achievements. He insists that by most Madrich concludes that this is a signifi- but his exposure to policy issues is not standards American society is better off cant reversal of our national experi- limited to academia. As the liaison be- than a half century ago. Does this au- ence and buoyancy. tween the University and the Washing- thor understand whats really happen- This blend of optimism and pessi- ton State Legislature, and later as the ing to American society? There is no mism in the mid-1990s is affecting the chair of the University’s Faculty Senate, question that many facets of American economic, socio-cultural, political and Dear has experienced up close the life have grown better over the past fifty value environment of this generation of machinations involved in developing years. But the results of competent re- adolescents and young adults, influ- and implementing policy in a highly po- search lead us to have some qualms encing their life chances, framing their liticized environment. Never wavering about our overall progress as an attitudes and behavior. from a dual interest in root causes as egalitarian social democracy. In this issue of Evaluation Forum we well as social policy