Scaffolding YPAR

Successfully integrating Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) into your classroom starts with intentional scaffolding. Breaking the process into manageable phases—like issue identification, research design, data collection, and action— helps students build skills step by step. Using mini-lessons, modeling, and check-ins ensures that students stay engaged, confident, and ready to take ownership of their work.

YPAR Phases and Steps

  • Phase 1. Identify an Issue

    Phase 1 introduces YPAR within schools and the importance of power-sharing roles between teachers and students. We ask: What are the most critical issues in our school? What about this issue needs to change? What are the goals for addressing the issue?

  • Phase 2: Collect Data

    Phase 2 guides the data collection by breaking down quantitative and qualitative research methods. Here we ask: What information might one need to address the issue? What research methods work best to address the problem?

  • Phase 3: Analyze Data

    Phase 3 will provide guidelines and techniques for analyzing data needed to take action in YPAR. Questions include: What are the significant trends or themes that the data shows? What reflections and evaluations are necessary to take action?

  • Phase 4: Take Action

    Phase 4 supports collaborators in using what was learned from the research to take action. Collaborators will brainstorm recommendations based on the research findings and reflect on the actions needed to support student recommendations.

YPAR Guide Table

Bringing Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) to life requires clear scaffolds that guide students through each phase of the process. These materials offer ready-to-use lesson plans, editable templates, and PowerPoint slides that break YPAR into manageable steps—from issue identification to action planning.

Designed for real classrooms, these resources:

  • Support every YPAR phase with brainstorm templates, interview protocols, data analysis guides, and reflection prompts

  • Align with core standards to connect YPAR to English, Social Studies, Math, and Science

  • Build student confidence and independence through step-by-step activities and teacher modeling

Whether you’re introducing YPAR for the first time or deepening ongoing projects, these scaffolds ensure students have the structure and tools they need to succeed.

Phase/Session#/StepSession TitleLesson PlanPowerPoint
PHASE 1: IDENTIFY AN ISSUE
Step 1: Understand YPAR and Get Ready for Your Project
1Introduction to Youth Participatory Action Researchhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1ndsAVUz_isOOdK1MpLej9p8KnH0w7V4n/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VPq2iY_pW1cemlaSnq-tAaxwJxdlQlje/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
2Building a YPAR Culturehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/17Ux6qZ4VnAxiYpcJOOOxxc4zuZ25NUL6/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BLta9T7LOLeJvTW8GcBPOOps57DXyE7U/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
3Action research (discussion of action research and issue identification)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fFlS7FLBHOr9Izl4UnBfQlUwsxHLSoEA/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1UpwyGZ_yNV8IVcQaf8ujE8Jrc9cr_BBm/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 2: Identify the Issue
4.a.Pick a Topic https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JMvYKmjxzekNjFpip9dVaSAMQ68RIDUk/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14V4JFoLSJdoQBMX2DY4GgVCIri1D0Wcv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
4.b.Looking at the Root Cause of the Issuehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1tGVxPl5ihrO7-NVgU7fCtiw4ck8LR6Py/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14V4JFoLSJdoQBMX2DY4GgVCIri1D0Wcv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
4.c. Asking "So What" and Developing a RQhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1LHYM5NTl78kkeGMmizzKFNgMv9Vdjo5s/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14V4JFoLSJdoQBMX2DY4GgVCIri1D0Wcv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
5Identify Community Sources of Informationhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/146uDajllUC4LheZnvrrB01wbb4jHvtBO/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mXoBa5Y_o17SnLbtWLBDJ6uhB8VF62-D/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
6Review Literaturehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1uu6u-I4BTRXd5SCodexe_MWMPbSLmOX_/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1gPV_QyVmdaeElbbeQinx7qv1ptXYhnab/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
PHASE 2: DATA COLLECTION
Step 3: Decide on Research Method
7Choose a Research Methodhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1JjTChATavL-Z4SpZfCEV766vwJxLXO1a/edithttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14nP-8i9XoNxPwejozvAf5Obs6ZS_G2Sj/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 4 Planning for Data Collections
8Planning for Data Collection and Decide on Your Research Question (teachers will choose qualitative or quantitative)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tg8u9s0hQnwjKtVZll0WB-2pLjlN9akB/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14_0c9st6_3NQM7Qgx3b8YHP815uVoPxr/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 5a. Using Qualitative Methods
9a - Part 1Planning and Creating Interviews and Focus Groupshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1rChOPii6Kdx4t60yRMlikKrddtBtqj1Z/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/14r19au41vyN7KpQ7t1rI3m0F2FIMGoXV/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9a - Part 2Planning and Creating Interviews and Focus Groupshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/11zm6a7qgD-bYXq_gKvGvkRoR7e-l_-qV/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xjXAstqQjD7F1KMOqjVb8PJXqmJetrcd/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9a - Part 3Planning and Creating Interviews and Focus Groupshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1JhiLiwIcRa72B2QhgfmXtSxdikPwIa7W/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QB6IchTKLOGM73lkQqHip6M601vkZ6wc/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9b.Planning for Observations: Basic Skills of Observationshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1lNudL9WdyNtWrY0X570uGKU8I7zy77fK/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1r1PZzj3lnPF5kNRieVyIyJmzyQv7PfpU/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9c.Planning for Existing (Secondary) Data Researchhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fITIqSmZ3s2vxxG8DTsAVQPY7poqJYrf/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12eKwcUDP9iocHqi8vzYMvN4Y-s5Loism/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
9d.Planning for and engaging Art-Based MethodsLesson Plan - In ProcessPowerPoint - In Process
10Planning for Data Collection (finalizing data collection documents and reflecting on Recruitment)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jX4gbXlxgxHE3gXYoFqsMmVd7KblN99W/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1aVb2ZI3pEIYbqB6pTLBge1V4_AtXc9yD/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 5b. Using Quantitative Methods
11aDevelop a Hypothesishttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1S2YoL5UsxCC1h1JEDBugvYrzk3S67rkv/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mbTO-aHHHrozt07zAjO47abGCRQ1OHw0/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
11bSurvey Basics and Protocol Developmenthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1NCyuH0FtpthXmiIf9j13RBbT3_8JDz1g/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1n1Apz76dq3r51yMswCWurDzJ7d6mZjOh/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
11cCreate an Introductionhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/17nSQg258dg0fD5JVvUxmxQDeSkz74cjh/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19YXH-E6xXlTMxKtbIgC7eQfX_yBb0Qmd/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
11dData Collection - Administering the Surveyhttps://docs.google.com/document/d/10H_pAh1SXu9CsXjZsBbFpsTrmpm7KmcB/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1uKMCTCGy3vVQrh5nW1YBvut_4DjZoCCq/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
PHASE 3: DATA ANALYSIS
Step 6: Organize and Analyze Data
12 - Part 1Planning for Data Analysishttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1oQv7XrIjBb21LGbJUW9uZMhn6_aepp2v/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Orw4TNnDJfnbm-r6AX0pcBaqrC0yrMYy/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
12 - Part 2Open-Ended Coding and Close Ended Codinghttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1-kk-fCtJpjgnKcWaWbFD9axC-npOw0hP/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xfCsbat6KGxjr7jrvWU9Ga82xcAcjwLi/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 7: Reflect and Evaluate
14Reflexivity: Evaluate the Progress of the Research Projecthttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1HQ23A0c_7s8oPwPO4LZOKPXH3XXxfyu9/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15hsLlxSC4BfmmdSTp5aWWR7UFkYdY2Lk/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
PHASE 4: TAKE ACTION
Step 8: Using Research For Change
15Planning for action: Goals and Audienceshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1fHJw3XpWiyjkmSTLg3jQzZn16Io4AKPS/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/13voNIA3Uhzl_xw_Of93acwfTCSfGTcPY/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
16Planning for action: Using Findings to Take Action https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mNA5VULzFIfP31OXJntOmce4VXwiGGOe/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XMR93n2rhMw1Dv7n2wuVXZ4uiPzodYWn/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 9: Presentation Preparation
17 - Part 1Answering the “So What” and Writing Your Findingshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1q5f58Jw9veccVyyJgyZIj4qbPtiVN7B7/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1EP05zSq1r5cGPBN28_JC6etFOcgEWG7G/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
17 - Part 2Answering the “So What” and Writing Your Findingshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1GShkdn9Z4e108fx6do5rglaFfU001znj/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xNL0qxJLwXPqvdbD9yZ7138QgmBC0tvR/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
17 - Part 3Answering the “So What” and Writing Your Findingshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1v-PFu6wTEsXIYre_h0OvBoaaVZEzHuUL/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1zzsyrW7RXSX3_B0fEZ4ehBWJAEEBr-kd/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
18 - Part 1Presentation Skillshttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1pAj9-v6230XeWFpKI9mHUPUGhNS75S7U/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1C0qp4Gjmuz_IMX-RatG-VM95PNK0zbvF/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
18 - Part 2Practice Presentation https://docs.google.com/document/d/19nRec77rGTY5ndwf80UH2cKJLO3GpAkR/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1LSVMqJp-u9hb4eVq1fDhOY8I7VolLe6T/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
Step 10: Celebrate and Share
19Celebration and Presentations!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SQxMP9A-F_0zM2sAq4WN3HEfjnsZQu1j/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=truehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/16uU7vD5zJ2jm9JHAmYzhM6rVrKBtE4BB/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=106235636089503277893&rtpof=true&sd=true
20Talking to Stakehoders Lesson Plan - In ProcessPowerPoint - In Process