Giving Compass' Take:

• At Education Dive, Shawna De La Rosa depicts some of the dangers facing Idaho teens who have taken agricultural jobs to sustain themselves or their families during remote learning.

• As the pandemic continues to impact the economy, people are becoming more desparate. How can we encourage students like these Idaho teens to remain in school? What can we do to support families suffering from the economic drought?

• Learn more about why you should double your giving output right away.

Now that school buildings have closed, some Idaho teens are taking on agricultural jobs to earn extra money, The Idaho Statesman reports. Students are still expected to complete their school work, and many are logging on to Zoom calls from the fields.

In agricultural jobs, youth can be exposed to pesticides, dangerous equipment and extreme temperatures, and most child work-related deaths happen in the agricultural industry. But educators are hesitant to point out their concerns, as the jobs may be necessary for families.

It’s not uncommon for Latino Idaho teens to work in the farms after school and during the summer. Many of the teens have a family connection to agriculture that can help them find work. Others are part of migrant families who move frequently for jobs.

This year, however, the teens started working in the fields earlier. Harold Nevill, an administrator for the Canyon-Owyhee School Service Agency, estimates 30% to 50% of the students at his school are working. Most work in agriculture, but others work as mechanics and in the healthcare industry.

With unemployment numbers now rivaling that of the Great Depression, most teens find it hard to land a job. Even before the pandemic struck in late 2019, only 35% of teens had jobs, down from 60% in 1979. Then, the reasons were that they didn’t have time due to rigorous school schedules. Now, there aren’t many jobs to be held.

Read the full article about Idaho teens by Shawna De La Rosa at Education Dive.