Youth Development
New Directions for Youth Development
Edited by the Harvard Family Research Project, this issue unpacks the construct of participation in out-of-school time programming, posing a three-part equation: participation = enrollment + attendance + engagement. It draws on research and evaluation literature and provides research-based strategies on how to define, measure, study, and increase participation. (Spring 2005)
Too Big to Be Seen: The Invisible Dropout Crisis in Boston and America
This report by the Boston Youth Transitions Task Force represents the first year of research and analysis conducted by the Youth Transitions Task Force, a coalition of non-profit organizations and government agencies convened by the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). The report captures the first year of a two-year strategic assessment of the dropout problem in Boston, including results from quantitative data and qualitative research, as well as mapping of the education, recovery and support system for dropouts and recommendations for improvement. May 2006.
Needs Assessment of High-Risk Youth in Boston Beyond
This needs assessment by the Boston High-Risk Youth Network provides a profile of Boston’s high-risk youth population and a discussion of the issues relevant to this group. Interviews were conducted with seven service providers in the field in order to define high-risk youth, compile a list of available resources, effective strategies, major needs, gaps in service, and recommendations for service providers. September 2005.
Helping Youth Succeed Through Out-of-School Time Programs
This report by the American Youth Policy Forum discusses essential components for “helping youth succeed through out-of-school time programs.” Benefits, challenges and other organizational issues are presented in the form of a literature review. Finally, various approaches to successful OST programs are outlined along with recommendations for policy makers. January 2006.
Boston Youth Survey
The 2004 Boston Youth Survey by the Harvard Youth Violence Prevention Center and the City of Boston aggregates information from Boston Public High School students (grades 9 - 12) on a variety of topics, including: out-of-school activities, school and educational aspirations, health and physical activities, mental health, relationships with others, and use of technology. August 2005.
A Profile of Boston’s Struggling Students and Disconnected Youth
This paper was prepared for the Boston Youth Council to provide assistance for their strategic planning process. It offers a profile of teens and young adults in Boston with a focus on their relationship to the education and employment systems. The paper discusses the disengagement of these populations from the systems and when it happens, and also offers suggestions for why they become disengaged.November 2004.
Beyond the Classroom: Collective Responsibility for Developing Proficiency in Urban Youth
This article from the Annenberg Institute for School Reform presents challenges of working to bring urban youth to academic proficiency. The authors propose some solutions and suggest an altered definition of proficiency to include life skills. They provide examples of programs that seek to meet the needs of children beyond the school day in order to help them become successful adults. Winter 2007.
The Realm of Afterschool...A World of Diversity
This issue brief, prepared by Priscilla Little for the Massachusetts Special Commission on After School and Out of School Time, provides a description of after school and how students benefit from participating. The author highlights research on benefits in the areas of academics, social/emotional needs, prevention, health and wellness, and community engagement. Fall 2007.