LISTEN (Listen and Inquiring with Students Through Engagement Networks) Lab

A University of California at San Diego (UCSD) Collaboration between SanDERA and CREATE (Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment & Teaching Excellence), funded by the US Department of Education

Project Overview                                                                                                                                                      

The LISTEN LAB aims to directly engage high school youth in Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) to study and innovate on increasing student engagement and improving school climate. Using YPAR as a decidedly student-driven (rather than teacher-driven) approach, Participating Students will define and drive critical research questions on engagement and climate in schools with support from Participating Teachers. Specifically, students will gather, analyze, and present data on student engagement and school culture measures at their 12 high schools through YPAR Research Cycles. Teachers will also be trained and receive ongoing curricular and professional development on YPAR practices.

Project Goals

• Student Participants in the YPAR Design Cycle will have improved school engagement resulting in improved academic outcomes;
• Student Participants in the YPAR Design Cycle will have improved school engagement resulting in increased knowledge and skills related to self-direction and employability;
• Schools will use their Student Participant YPAR results to guide Huddles to improve School Climate; and
• Teachers participating in the LISTEN LAB will increase their capacity for engaging and supporting diverse students in YPAR.

Project Timeline

January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2025

Contact Information

For additional information, please contact Julian Betts, Department of Economics, UC San Diego (jbetts@ucsd.edu)