ERIC Number: ED667911
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 140
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5346-8870-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Youth Leadership Experience Creating Equity and Access for Students of Color
Antonio B. Boyd
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northeastern University
This study explores the "Youth Leadership Experience" (YLE), (pseudonym) an afterschool experiential learning and leadership program for 9th and 10th-grade high school students from the midlands area of Columbia, SC. The study aims to identify and document the experiential learning and leadership practices at "Youth Leadership Experience" using a qualitative participatory action research design. The study's secondary goal is to develop and implement practices that will enable YLE to be more equitable and accessible for students of color. Youth Leadership Experience has helped inspire over 550 alumni to graduate from high school, attend college, and begin careers. It is critical to build the infrastructure necessary to provide access to experiential learning opportunities, particularly for students of color. Eliminating barriers to student participation is also essential (Hora et al., 2019). The study's findings indicated that YLE implements eight experiential learning and leadership practices through the program's monthly modules. However, the YLE program staff realized they had not effectively addressed diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in the program through intentional practices and policies. Participation in the study enabled the YLE stakeholders to implement eight practice and policy changes that created more equitable access to the program for students of color. YLE also developed a module on diversity, equity, and inclusion and implemented it during the YLE Arts and Culture months to encourage dialog, reduce fear of discussion, and enhance the learning community amongst the students at YLE. YLE delivered a survey before and after the module. The findings indicate a change in attitude, outlook, and interaction between the students about diversity, equity, and inclusion. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: After School Programs, Youth Programs, Leadership Training, High School Students, Grade 9, Grade 10, Minority Group Students, Program Effectiveness, Experiential Learning, Diversity Equity and Inclusion
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Grade 9; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Grade 10
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A