Youth Engagement

Youth Engagement

Research shows that youth engagement contributes to higher academic competency and motivation, improved graduation rates, and a positive school climate.

OSPI is committed to authentically engaging students and young adults to share their experience, strength and hope and help build statewide supports for schools to create environments that incorporate student engagement in meaningful ways.

Youth Engagement and Hart’s Ladder

Roger Hart’s ladder of children’s participation is adapted from Sherry Arnstein’s “ladder of citizen participation” (1969) which related to citizen involvement in planning processes in the United States.

Hart’s model (1992) has eight rungs and two main zones he calls ‘Non-Participation’ and ‘Degrees of Participation.’ The top five rungs, in the ‘Participation’ zone all represent different but valid forms of participation while the three lowest rungs are all designated as “non-participation.” Though authentic engagement doesn’t mean you should reach the top rung of the ladder, the goal is to stay out of the non-participation rungs.

Source: Ladder of Children's Participation – Organizing Engagement

Youth Engagement Resources

• Best Practices for Elevating Student Voice 
• Mental Health Related Absence toolkit
• Youth Advisory One Pager
• Peer Support Programs 

Mentoring

• Youth Mentoring at Community for Youth
• Boys & Girls Club Year 2 Report 
• Career Integrated Mentoring