Resources for Doing SchYPAR
Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) transforms classrooms into spaces where students investigate real issues, generate knowledge, and lead meaningful action. At SchYPAR, we support educators in bringing this powerful framework to life—with tools that honor your expertise and your students’ brilliance. Whether you’re just getting started or deep into your YPAR journey, this page offers flexible resources to help you reflect, plan, and implement YPAR in your unique classroom context. You’ll find:
A “Before You Begin” Reflection Tool to guide your planning
Implementation guides for planning and scaffolding YPAR
Teacher and student examples organized by subject
Tips for collaboration, documentation, and assessment
You don’t have to follow a rigid script. YPAR works best when it’s responsive—to your teaching style, your school culture, and most importantly, your students.
Before You Begin - YPAR Teacher Reflection Tool
Implementation Guides (Section Under Construction)
-
1. Planning & Design
This section offers practical tools to support the full arc of YPAR implementation—from initial planning to equitable assessment and student reflection. Whether you’re designing a new unit or adapting an existing one, these resources are flexible, scaffolded, and grounded in justice-oriented pedagogy.
-
2. Scaffolds for the Classroom
This section is designed to help teachers bring YPAR to life in real classrooms—across content areas, grade levels, and school contexts. Whether you're new to YPAR or well into the process, these scaffolds provide practical entry points and support structures to guide you through each phase of the work. From research design to action planning, the materials here are editable, adaptable, and grounded in classroom realities.
-
3. Subject-Specific YPAR Guide Examples
YPAR doesn’t live in just one subject area—it can thrive across the curriculum. These guides offer concrete strategies for integrating YPAR into specific content areas while honoring both student voice and academic standards. Whether you're teaching English, Science, Math, or Social Studies, YPAR can enrich your classroom with inquiry, critical thinking, and real-world relevance.
-
4. Collaboration & Communication
YPAR is most powerful when it’s supported by a community of adults who believe in student voice. This section provides tools to help you build that support—whether you're introducing YPAR to your administrator, co-planning with a colleague, or partnering with local organizations. Strong communication and collaborative planning can help sustain and expand the impact of your students’ work.
Hear from a Math Teacher Doing YPAR
In the video below, Karmel Abutaleb, a math and computer science teacher at Natividad Pagan International Newcomers Academy in Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) shares her experience using YPAR in her classes. She is interviewed by Maggie Rahill, an English language arts (ELA) teacher at John Marshall School of Engineering, also in CMSD. Maggie also uses YPAR in her ELA courses. In the interview, Karmel answers the following questions about her SchYPAR work: What would you tell a teacher thinking about implementing YPAR in their classroom? Tell me about a recent YPAR lesson. How do you integrate YPAR into the subject-based standards that you have to teach? How do you make YPAR fit with all the things that you have to do? How has YPAR influenced you and your approach to teaching?
