Research

The Challenge to Create a Safer Learning Environment for Youth

Jenny Horsman, Self Published, 2004

This report outlines the fi ndings of a year long research study carried out in Ontario to:

  • deepen understanding of the complex picture of how violence affects learning,
  • to examine how school responses play a part in creating this picture, and
  • to strengthen the possibilities to support learning for youth in high schools and in youth literacy and training programs.

The full report: The Challenge to Create a Safer Learning Environment for Youth tells the whole store. It can be accessed at:www.jennyhorsman.com/ChallengetoCreate_FinalCopy.pdf

The short report:The Impact of Violence on Learning for Youth: What Can We Do focuses particularly on the words of the interviewees - especially the youth - and their suggestions about what we can do to improve education. It can be accessed at : www.jennyhorsman.com/WhatCanWeDo_FinalCopy.pdf

Capstone Project: Inuit Youth and Dropout

The Capstone Project was presented by Deborah Maguire for the completion of a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning from the University of Calgary. Deborah is a teacher and Vice-principal at Netsilik School in Taloyoak.

The portfolio is divided into fi ve major sections to recognise the various perspectives that need to be represented when discussing the phenomena of student dropout.

  • Why do Inuit students drop out? This section explores the various factors that attribute to the decision to leave school early. Research about other Native populations is used to help understand what happens when Inuit students quit school.
  • What can schools do? This section examines the impact of community development on the dropout phenomena.
  • What should be done? Recommendations are made in this portion of the portfolio.
  • My growth and understanding. This section includes some of Deborah Maguire's key thoughts and ideas as she has grown in understanding and her role as a teacher in an Inuit community.

Assignment Paper: I-Search Paper - Out of Step: Inuit Youth and Dropout
http://www.polarnet.ca/~netsilik/Capstone/AS-I-Search.html

Effective Schooling Practices and At-Risk Youth:
What the Research Shows

Greg Druian and Jocelyn A. Butler
http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/1/topsyn1.html

How to Engage Youth in Literacy

Burt Perrin
The purpose of the Youth and Literacy Cluster was to explore and experiment with different ways of enabling out-of-school/out-of-work (“at risk”) youth to get back into learning. At-risk youth, for various reasons, have not succeeded in the regular school system. Many have extremely limited literacy skills and face a variety of other barriers.
http://www.nald.ca/fulltext/perrin/toc.htm

NGA Centre for Best Practices

The goal of youth development is helping youth gain the competencies to become successful adults. This brief defi nes what is meant by youth development and highlights innovative ways states are using youth development policies and programs to improve outcomes for youth.

For access to this research:
http://www.nga.org/center/divisions/1,1188,C_ISSUE_BRIEF%5ED_382,00.html

Too Scared to Learn

Published by McGilligan Books, 1999

Too Scared to Learn is based on original research with literacy learners and instructors as well as practising therapists. The study re-examines learning with a lens focused on what we now know about the prevalence and impacts of violence in women's lives. It brings together a wealth of previously unconnected knowledge to spark new approaches to learning and teaching.

In the Preface of her book Jenny comments:

"Too Scared to Learn rethinks conceptualizations of violence in society and connections between violence and learning and interweaves a wealth of practical ideas, possibilities, thoughts about what practitioners might do differently in classrooms and educational institutions if we begin to think differently about violence."

For more information or to order:
http://www.jennyhorsman.com/tooscared2.html

What do Youth Really Want in a Literacy Program?

Perspectives from Youth, Youth Workers and Potential Youth Employers Core Literacy Centre, Waterloo Region
http://www.nald.ca/fulltext/pat/core/cover.htm

Youth Action Research Institute (YARI)

YARI promotes the use of action research for personal, group, and community development.

For more information:
http://www.incommunityresearch.org/research/yari.htm