National Longitudinal Study of High School Seniors

The study shows how the National Longitudinal Study (NLS) data can be used to strengthen the knowledge base for important public policy decisions. It pursues four objectives: to call attention to possible applications of the NLS data to policy issues confronting federal decisionmakers; to promote coordination in using the data; to time certain important studies for completion in advance of foreseeable national problems; and to weigh future directions of the NLS. Identifies ten high-priority studies: influence of the secondary school; migration and job search; attitudes and career success; segmented labor markets; evolution of career objectives; nontraditional attendance patterns in postsecondary education; persistence and transition patterns of college parallel students in two-year colleges; development of career aspirations among young women; consequences of early parenthood; and near-term marital stability.