Using data from the Youth in Transition Survey (YITS), this paper provides an up-to-date description
of educational and labour market pathways (or transitions) among Canadian youth. It also estimates the
effect of academic abilities, measured by PISA math and reading scores, on such transitions. Descriptive
statistics show that educational success is positively related to math and reading achievements as well as
family background characteristics. Further, working while in high school reduces educational attainment
while participation in school organised activities increases the probability of grade progression. The results
also indicate that students with low reading achievements are not only less likely to remain in school; they
are also less likely to return to school once they have left school. Finally, the risk of entering
unemployment after school is inversely related to the level of completed schooling.
