Details about the Youth One Year Out (YOYO) former student interview and tips for responding.
What is the YOYO?
The YOYO (Youth One Year Out) is a phone call from your former school district that gathers information about what you have been up to in the year after leaving high school. You’ll be asked questions about work, school, and life! The YOYO interview is completely voluntary. The YOYO is conducted with all students in Kentucky who exited high school in the previous school year, had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in place at the time of exit, and exited by graduation with a regular diploma, alternative diploma, reached maximum age, or dropped out.
YOYO Flyer for Students & Families (PDF) – a quick look at the what, who, when, and why of the Youth One Year Out (YOYO) former student interview.
Why is the YOYO Important?
The information gathered in the YOYO interview gives schools, districts, and Kentucky an idea of what students are doing one year after leaving high school. It can help schools and districts learn how they can better prepare students for their next steps. It’s also an excellent opportunity to share your experiences and reconnect with your former school!
Measuring Transition Success (PDF) – a brief prepared by PACER Center in collaboration with the National Post-School Outcomes Center, focusing on youth and family participation in data collection efforts.
When and How Will I be Contacted?
A year after you leave high school, a former teacher or other school staff member will call you between April 1 and August 31. It will take about 15 minutes.
Answering Questions During the YOYO Interview:
You’ll be asked questions about work, such as:
- Are you working? If so, for how long?
- How many hours? Are you paid at least minimum wage?
- Do you receive similar pay, benefits, and opportunities as your coworkers?
- Do you receive supports or accommodations on the job?
- Do you find your job interesting?
- Do you work with other people with and without disabilities?
- If you’re not working, why?
You’ll be asked questions about education, such as: - Are you enrolled in any type of school or training program? If so, what kind?
- Did you complete an entire term/semester?
- What degree do you expect to get when you’re finished with school?
- Have you ever contacted the Disability Services Coordinator (DSC) at your school?
- Where do you live while attending school?
- Have you faced any problems while attending school?
- If you’re not in school, why?
Other questions you’ll be asked: - How do you spend your time?
- Do you have a driver’s license?
- Are you registered to vote?
Do you have a legal guardian? - Name the most important thing during high school that helped you in your life right now.
- Since leaving high school, have you had any contact with a counselor from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)?
- How have things been going for you since you left high school?
- Provide your teacher with a reliable way to reach you next year (phone, email, text)
- Make sure you or someone in your family can answer the information in the section above.
- Answer truthfully and accurately.
- Take your time.
- Ask for help if you don’t understand.
- It’s ok if you don’t know or remember the answer.
- You don’t have to answer any of the questions if you don’t want to.
It’s ok if you don’t understand a question. Some ways you can ask for help:
Can you say that again?
What does that mean?
Can you give me an example?
Yes, if you’re unable to answer the questions because you are unavailable or for any other reason, a family member or guardian can answer the questions on your behalf.
That’s ok! The interview is meant to understand what you are doing, not tell you what you should be doing. But the interviewer will have some resources available to help you find assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask!
If you need accommodations to answer interview questions over the phone, make sure your school knows what accommodations you need. Contact your teacher or school staff member. Remind the YOYO interviewer or have a family member remind them when they call you for the interview.
What is Done With My Information?
Your information is kept confidential. It will be summarized into reports about the post-school outcomes of students throughout Kentucky. Your answers help schools learn how they can better prepare students for life after high school!
Can I See the Reports?
KYPSO will publish post-school outcome data every September, which can be found on our Post-School Outcome Data webpage, and a statewide annual report in July, which can be found on our Annual Report webpage.