Co-Constructing a Youth Leadership and Engagement Program Through Action Research

• In Event: Roundtable Session 46
  In Roundtable Session: Action Research: Challenges and a Promising Future

Abstract

This study uses action research to investigate stakeholder perceptions of a youth leadership development program in an urban public high school. Program goals include engaging students as leaders, facilitating diverse students representing the school, and fostering school pride. Data sources include focus group interviews with student participants and surveys of students, their families, and school staff. The findings present five themes: the importance and benefits of involvement, student ownership, learning from new experiences, serving the community, having a voice, and preparing for the future. The first cycle of action research provided stakeholder feedback for program improvement and placed youth voice at the center of program development. Program changes will be implemented in a second cycle of action research.

Authors

• Lauren K. Chicoski, Southern Connecticut State University

• Laura Bower-Phipps, Southern Connecticut State University