Evaluation of an Educational Program for Adolescents

The paper is not to exceed 10 pages, double-spaced, non-inclusive of references.

a. For this assignment, students will evaluate an educational program for adolescents
(options listed below) based on its developmental fit, as identified by existing research.
This final paper will require reviewing programmatic materials to synthesize the
strengths and weaknesses of the program from a developmental perspective, explicitly
citing course material. Students may select any of the developmental areas covered in this
course, and bring in other existing research as applicable. 

i. Doctoral students enrolled in the 8112 version of this course must additionally
submit an Appendix that includes a memo detailing their proposal for a supplemental
activity the program could adopt to better meet adolescents’ developmental needs.
This document should be 3-4 pages in length, double-spaced, and include a brief
overview of the proposed activity, as well as the research-informed rationale for its
purpose.

Program Options:

• Youth Participatory Action Research: http://yparhub.berkeley.edu/

Students will review example projects and sample curriculum from UC
Berkeley’s YPAR Hub. YPAR is a research approach wherein young people
act as co-researchers, researching issues relevant to their own lives.

• Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens

 Students will review videos and articlesdirected towards teens from Planned
Parenthood, a nonprofit organization that offers sexual and reproductive health
care and sex education.

• Second Step Socio-Emotional learning: https://www.secondstep.org/what-is-second-step

Students will review Second Step’s socio-emotional learning curriculum for
middle and high school students. Second Step is a program that offers a holistic
approach to building supportive communities for every child through social-
emotional learning.

• Love is Respect: https://www.loveisrespect.org/

Students will review articles aimed towards teens from Love is Respect, a project
that works to disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner
violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education,
support, and resources.

• OUTMemphis: https://www.outmemphis.org/youth-families/. 

Students will review programming and resources for youth and families from
OUTMemphis, an organization that seeks to empower, connect, educate, and
advocate for the LGBTQ+ community of the Mid-South.