School Citizenship Education Through YPAR: What Works? A Mixed-Methods Study in Italy

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the processes of a Youth-led Participatory Action Research (YPAR) citizenship education project by examining a 2-year intervention that involved 43 Italian high school students. We collected qualitative data (focus groups with students and interview...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of adolescent research 2023-01, Vol.38 (1), p.143-177
Main Authors: Albanesi, Cinzia, Prati, Gabriele, Guarino, Antonella, Cicognani, Elvira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action Research
Citizenship
Citizenship Education
Education
Educational Environment
Foreign Countries
Group norms
High School Students
Inclusion
Intervention
Longitudinal Studies
Mixed methods research
Participation
Participatory action research
Participatory Research
Perceptions
Preschool Teachers
School environment
Secondary school students
Teacher Attitudes
Teachers
Youth
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Summary:The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the processes of a Youth-led Participatory Action Research (YPAR) citizenship education project by examining a 2-year intervention that involved 43 Italian high school students. We collected qualitative data (focus groups with students and interviews with teachers) to capture participants’ perspectives, as well as longitudinal quantitative data to monitor the process over time (assessing school climate, perceived quality of participation, and group participation norms). The results revealed that YPAR was successful in reducing hierarchy, facilitating group activities, and recognizing youth voice, thus changing students’ perception of their school environment and views on participation and active citizenship. The intervention also changed teachers’ perceptions of students. YPAR proved to be a suitable option for citizenship education in school.
ISSN:0743-5584
1552-6895
DOI:10.1177/07435584211035564