Youth Participatory Action Research: A Tool to Address School Climate Issues

Summary

The Northside Research Team consists of young individuals with personal ties to the North Side, focusing on reversing the typical corporate 'trickle-down' approach. They conduct thorough research, building relationships with the community to understand local needs. The team aims to highlight the often-overlooked potential and achievements of North Minneapolis youth, emphasizing leadership development and asset-based recognition. The director of Solutions Not Suspensions and the Minnesota Black Male Achievement Network emphasizes the importance of youth participatory research, noting its potential for broader community impact and national replication, with the Youth Prize's involvement in supporting and maintaining the visibility of these efforts.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The Northside Research Team is composed of young individuals with personal ties to the North Side, either through residence, family, or friends.
• 🔍 The team aims to reverse the typical trickle-down effect by conducting research focused on helping the North Side community.
• 💼 The research is thorough and relationship-based, going beyond mere surveys to build connections with the community.
• 📚 The team believes that they, as residents experiencing the conditions, are best suited to tell their own stories and advocate for their needs.
• 💰 The investment in young people is seen as crucial, as they have the energy, time, and knowledge to drive change.
• 🌈 The team highlights the potential and achievements of North Minneapolis youth, aiming to bring these stories to a broader audience.
• 💡 The project has the potential to expand beyond North Minneapolis, possibly being replicated nationally in similar contexts.
• 👥 The importance of youth participatory research is emphasized, with the team having previously organized a summit to discuss solutions and suspensions.
• 📝 A policy brief was published from the summit, giving voice to young people and providing guidance to school districts.
• 🌐 The director of Solutions Not Suspensions and the Minnesota Black Male Achievement Network sees a unique value in youth-led research and its impact on policy and community engagement.
• 🔑 Youth Prize's involvement is highlighted as crucial in supporting young people and keeping their concerns at the forefront of public attention.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the Northside Research Team?

The Northside Research Team focuses on researching the Northside community, aiming to help its residents by understanding their conditions and needs, and reversing the typical trickle-down effect often seen in corporate initiatives.

Why is the Northside Research Team unique in their approach to research?

The team is unique because its members have a personal connection to the Northside, either through living there, having family or friends in the area, or attending school there, which allows them to build relationships during the research process.

How does the Northside Research Team ensure their research is thorough?

The team ensures thoroughness by building relationships with the people they survey, going beyond just asking questions and instead engaging with the community to understand their experiences and needs deeply.

What is the significance of the Northside Research Team's work in terms of community representation?

The team's work is significant because they are the ones experiencing the conditions they research, which allows them to authentically represent and tell the story of the Northside community.

How does the Northside Research Team view the potential of the youth in North Minneapolis?

The team sees the youth as a valuable asset with untapped potential, believing that they have a lot to offer and should be given opportunities to shine on a broader stage.

What is the Northside Research Team's approach to leadership development?

The team focuses on asset-based recognition rather than deficit-based approaches, aiming to highlight the strengths and potential of the community and its members.

What is the potential impact of the Northside Research Team's work beyond North Minneapolis?

The work has the potential to go community-wide in North Minneapolis and could even be replicated nationally, given the right environment and support for such projects.

How does the script mention the importance of youth participatory research in the context of solutions and suspensions?

The script highlights the importance of youth participatory research through a summit that convened young people to discuss issues around solutions and suspensions, leading to the publication of a policy brief that gave them a voice and direction to school districts.

What role does the director of solutions not suspensions play in supporting the work of the Northside Research Team?

The director plays a crucial role by encouraging and supporting the school districts to engage in the work of youth participatory research, ensuring that the young people's concerns and solutions remain at the forefront of attention.

Why is the involvement of Youth Prize in the work of the Northside Research Team significant?

Youth Prize's involvement is significant because it supports the young people in their research efforts, helping to keep their work and the issues they address in the spotlight, preventing them from fading away over time.

What is the script's perspective on the sustainability of ideas and concepts related to youth participatory research?

The script suggests that engaging young people is key to the sustainability of ideas and concepts, as they are the ones who can keep the momentum going and ensure that the work continues to evolve and have an impact.