To determine why the District is failing to meet the needs of its students, Brookings surveyed the current program offerings for DC youth. They noted the presence of many organizations in the public, private, and philanthropic sectors that offer services to prepare youth for college and careers. But the organization also found a lack of coordination and insufficient capacity to fully meet youth needs. “In general, these programs operate in their own silos, and without taking advantage of opportunities to leverage funds and coordinate services,” Ross writes.

Another problem: the lack of relationships with employers that could ensure that the supply of the youth workforce meets demand. The disconnect between employers and the youth workforce goes deeper, though:

Education and training providers typically judge their value by measures such as the number of participants who complete the program…Employers, however, typically are interested in a different set of questions… Will this service help me find candidates with the skills I need…Will this program save me money or time or allow me to use staff or other resources more efficiently?