Developing Students' Critical Consciousness Through School-Based Youth Participatory Action Research

• In Event: Youth-Led Participatory Action Research: A Research Approach to Bring About Productive Change

Abstract

Youth participatory action research (YPAR) is conceptually rooted in the critical pedagogy of Paulo Freire - to increase participants’ critical consciousness of sociopolitical oppression and effect structural change. This qualitative multi-site – three public schools- case study builds upon earlier research on the implementation and outcomes of a YPAR pilot initiative in K-12 schools in a large Midwestern U.S. city. We examine YPAR implementation-dynamics effects on the students’ Critical Consciousness and how design features facilitated or inhibited the development of critical consciousness. The study used cross-analysis of multiple forms of evidence—teachers and students open-ended interviews, observations, and analysis of program documents. The results shed light on diverse developmental and contextual factors that shaped YPAR implementation in K-12 school settings.

Authors

• Regina J Giraldo-Garcia, Ball State University

• Adam Voight, Cleveland State University