NORC has conducted The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 97 (NLSY97) for the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics annually since 1997. The main purpose of the survey is to examine the transition of youth from school to work and into adulthood.

NLSY97 consists of a nationally representative sample of approximately 9,000 youths who were 12 to 16 years old as of December 31, 1996. The survey has collected extensive information about youths' labor market behavior and educational experiences over time. Employment information has focused on employee-type work, where youths work for a particular employer, and freelance work, such as lawn mowing and baby-sitting. Employment data includes start and stop dates of jobs, occupation, industry, hours, earnings, job search, and benefits. Measures of actual work experience, tenure with an employer, and employer transitions can also be obtained. Educational data include youths' schooling history, performance on standardized tests, course of study, the timing and types of degrees, and a very detailed account of progression through post-secondary schooling.

NLSY97 also contains information on the following topics: youths' relationships with parents, contact with absent parents, marital and fertility histories, dating, sexual activity, onset of puberty, training, participation in government assistance programs, expectations, time-use, criminal behavior, and alcohol and drug-use. A parent questionnaire generates information on family background and history: parents' marital and employment histories, relationship with spouse or partner, ethnic and religious background, health, household income and assets, participation in government assistance programs, child-care arrangements, custody arrangements, and parental expectations.

In 1997 and 1998 NLSY97 respondents were also given a computerized version of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (CAT-ASVAB). The CAT-ASVAB comprises 10 tests that measure knowledge and skill in a number of areas, including mathematics and language.

NORC has contributed to all aspects of NLSY97, including design of instruments (questionnaires), data collection, systems programming and data maintenance, and data analysis.

See the BLS NLSY97 Summary and the NORC NLSY Summary.

Results and Data

Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics National Longitudinal Surveys website for access to data and documentation from NLSY97 and other national longitudinal surveys. Check also NLS Data Files.

Publications

Check the NLS Bibliography for access to journal literature derived from NLSY97 and other national longitudinal surveys. The site provides excellent search options for all cohorts.

Principal Investigators and Project Directors

Principal Investigators have included Robert Michael (1995-1998) and James Walker (1998-). NORC Project Directors have included A. Schoua (1995-1997), Gail Hoff (1995-1999) and Rupa Datta (1997-).

Sponsors and Subcontractors

NORC has conducted the survey for the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, with additional support from the Department of Defense, the National School to Work Office of the Departments of Education and Labor, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the Department of Justice, and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Subcontractors have included the Center for Human Resource Research (CHRR) at Ohio State University, the Chauncey Group (formerly Educational Testing Service or ETS), Prometric (formerly Sylvan Prometric), the RAND Corporation, the Human Relations Research Organization (HumRRO) and ChildTrends.

Contacts

NLSY97
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
2 Massachusetts Ave. N.E.
Suite 4945
Washington, D.C. 20212
202.606.7386
nls_info@bls.gov

Center for Human Resource Research
Ohio State University
921 Chatham Lane
Suite 100
Columbus, OH  43221
614.442.7300
usersvc@postoffice.chrr.ohio-state.edu