This book discusses problems facing U.S. high school graduates who do not continue their education, noting that many cannot find jobs, and those who do are often stuck in low-wage, dead-end positions. At the same time, employers complain that high school graduates lack the necessary skills for today's workplace. The book looks at new studies of the interaction between U.S. employers and high schools, concluding that each fails to communicate its needs to the other, leading to a predictable array of problems for young people following graduation. It contrasts the U.S. situation with that of two other industrialized nations--Japan and Germany--which have formal systems for aiding young people seeking employment. Virtually all Japanese high school graduates obtain work, and in Germany, 18-year-olds routinely hold responsible jobs. While the U.S. system lacks such formal linkages, the book uncovers one lesser-known system that helps many high school graduates find work. It explains that some teachers, particularly vocational teachers, create informal networks with employers to guide students into the labor market. The book suggests new policies based on such practices. (Contains approximately 475 references.) (SM)