"Is This Even What I Need to Learn?" Youth Participatory Action Research, Leadership Development, and Urban School Change

• In Event: Roundtable Session 35
  In Roundtable Session: Youth Voice in Educational Justice

Abstract

We report on a year-long YPAR study with youth in a leadership development program. This project serves the twin goals of helping us to learn about the value of YPAR for youth development and to help youth investigate questions about the quality of education they are receiving and to advocate for improvement with city and district officials. Phase 1 data reveal five key themes: (a) Why do tests determine how smart we are? (b) Where are my teachers?, (c) What does 12 years of school get us? (d) What do we really need to learn in school? and (e) Is the system setting me up for failure? Youth continue to collect more data and build advocacy and action plans.

Authors

• Andrea N Juarez-Mendoza, Mills College

• Lauren Mendoza, Mills College

• Sabrina Zirkel, Mills College

• CHALK Youth Leadership, Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids