Results
The National Guard Youth Challenge Program is one of the most successful programs designed to serve at-risk youth. Over 70,000 corpsmembers have graduated from 30 programs in the past 12 years. Remarkably, over 70% of these graduates -- former wayward high school dropouts -- have earned their GED or high school diploma while in the program. This percentage is nearly double the average reported pass rate of 41% for the same target age group.
Highlights from the 2005 Annual Report
Compared to similar programs, Challenge is remarkably cost effective. According to the 2005 Annual Report to Congress, the average per day program cost for ChalleNGe is $28.72 per youth, compared to $178.00 for private military-style programs and $174.00 for incarceration.
2005 Highlights:
- 6,806 cadets successfully completed the Residential Phase of the program and graduated.
- More than half of graduated cadets reported positive placement activities at the conclusion of the Post-Residential Phase.
- 67% of the cadets who tested and completed the Residential Phase successfully completed requirements for a GED credential or high school diploma, exceeding the 41% average pass rate for the same age group in reporting Adult Education programs.
- 554,557 hours of volunteer service to the community were performed, representing a value of $2,896,167 based on the Federal minimum wage.
- Graduating cadets improved 1.6 grade levels in reading and 2.1 grade levels in math during the 22-week Residential Phase.
For more information about the success of Challenge:
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2003 Annual Report: please contact AOC Solutions for information on this report.
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AOC Solutions, Inc. provides outcome-based operational evaluation and resource management review services for the ChalleNGe program. Their annual report to Congress details the effectiveness of the program.
