This section offers ready-to-use materials and practical tips for each YPAR phase, helping you adapt the process to your classroom and your students’ strengths. Each phase includes tools that make complex research steps accessible and engaging for all learners, including multilingual students and those with IEPs.

YPAR Phase Breakdown for the Classroom

YPAR Phases Overview

  • 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 by Phase Resources

You can find exactly what you need for each step of the YPAR journey: videos (Coming Soon), graphic organizers, example unit calendars & lesson plans, suggested scaffolds, and a checklist for each phase. Click “+” for each phase to find the downloadable materials.

  • Help students identify, refine, and commit to a research topic that matters to them.

    What you’ll find:

    • Video(Coming Soon) – Overview of how to launch the issue selection process in your classroom.

    • Graphic Organizer – Supports brainstorming and narrowing topics.

    • Example Unit Calendar & Lesson Plan – Shows how Phase 1 can be paced and taught.

    • Suggested Scaffolds – Activities and prompts to support multilingual learners, students with IEPs, and varied learning styles.

    • Phase Checklist – Quick tool to confirm readiness to move forward.

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  • Equip students to gather high-quality information in ethical and respectful ways.

    What you’ll find:

    • Video(Coming Soon) – Models different student-friendly research methods.

    • Graphic Organizer – Helps students plan their method and data sources.

    • Example Unit Calendar & Lesson Plan – Integrates surveys, interviews, observations, and more.

    • Suggested Scaffolds – Sentence stems, modeling tools, and ethical research tips.

    • Phase Checklist – Confirms that students are prepared and have ethical protocols in place.

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  • Guide students in making sense of their findings and drawing meaningful conclusions.

    What you’ll find:

    • Video(Coming Soon) – Demonstrates coding and analysis strategies.

    • Graphic Organizer – For sorting, coding, and visualizing data.

    • Example Unit Calendar & Lesson Plan – Breaks analysis into manageable steps.

    • Suggested Scaffolds – Color-coded coding charts, group discussion protocols, and visual display tools.

    • Phase Checklist – Ensures students have analyzed all data and are ready to identify key findings.

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  • Support students in transforming their research into concrete, impactful change.

    What you’ll find:

    • Video(Coming Soon) – Highlights examples of student-led actions and advocacy.

    • Graphic Organizer – Helps students map goals, strategies, and stakeholders.

    • Example Unit Calendar & Lesson Plan – Guides action planning and implementation.

    • Suggested Scaffolds – Templates for presentations, campaign planning, and stakeholder outreach.

    • Phase Checklist – Confirms action plans are ready for launch.

    Download Materials