The answer from the article: "... kids who found what researchers call an “identity project,” essentially a passion or hobby that helped motivate them, ... onto

The answer from the article: "... kids who found what researchers call an “identity project,” essentially a passion or hobby that helped motivate them, ... onto college or decent jobs. ... [however] Many of the kids who [had passion projects, still] veered off track. [They] wanted to get out of their parents’ house so badly that they took whatever job they could, before they had the chance to get the education or training to excel further." So the policy implications seem clear. Enable more poor kids to find passion projects. Once they have one, get them in to a living situation that, though meager, gives them the space to pursue their passion. Honestly, sounds like an apprenticeship or graduate school model, but for much younger people.