Welcome to SchYPAR
SchYPAR: Student Leadership Meets Systemic Impact
We provide the tools for educators and students to practice Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)—a collaborative approach to addressing school inequities through rigorous inquiry and collective action.
In SchYPAR, research means learning to understand before acting. Students collect and analyze data, reflect on their perspectives, and use what they learn to speak to decision-makers. By shifting from observation to influence, we support students in reclaiming their agency and turning critical consciousness into equitable change. SchYPAR positions youth as leaders and knowledge creators, using research to build critical thinking, advance equity, and turn understanding into action.
Resources:
“Do SchYPAR”
Through years of co-design work with teachers, students, and school communities, SchYPAR has created a library of resources for doing YPAR in schools. These range from academic standards crosswalks, case examples, and lesson plans and activities.
Action Team
Our SchYPAR Action Team of innovative high school educators is leading the way in exploring how YPAR can be used in schools to make learning more engaging, authentic, and supportive of school improvement. Join our Action Team!
“YPAR has engaged our students in learning to a depth that we have not seen before.”
— Alonzo F., School Principal