Youth Participatory Action Research: Implementation at an Alternative School

• In Event: 66.058 - Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: 66.058-7 - Learning From Youth: Examining Education From the Perspective of Youth

Abstract

YPAR is often instituted as part of regular school curricula (e.g., Giraldo-Garcia & Galletta, 2015; Kornbluh et al., 2015; Ozer et al., 2008). However, to date, there is no known empirical research regarding YPAR implementation in alternative schools. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore students’ sense of empowerment and community engagement in the context of YPAR at a rural alternative high school. Data sources included focus groups, field notes, and cognitive appraisal interviews concurrent with administration of the Active and Engaged Citizenship Scale (AECS, Bobek, Zaff, Li, & Lerner, 2009). Early analyses revealed three primary tensions in the data, including economic and service-oriented contributions to community; altruism and cynicism; and violence as a community problem and solution.

Authors

• Hannah Carson Baggett, Auburn University

• Carey E. Andrzejewski, Auburn University

• Marianne Feller, Auburn University