Paths to Positive Youth Development

By Judy Schoenberg, Ed.M. and Toija Riggins, Ph.D. (New York, N.Y.: Girl Scouts of the USA, 2003). 32 pp.

Today, the after-school education movement is seen as the next frontier for investing in children and helping them reach high academic and developmental goals. Paths to Positive Youth Development identifies youth developmental trends, assets, and challenges so that youth development organizations can understand the state of the after-school education movement and youth development field and translate theory into action.

Significant and actionable issues raised within this publication include:

• skills, competencies and relationships that youth need in positive development
• ways for youth to capitalize on opportunities encountered as they grow older
• programs and support systems for youth and adults to embrace and adapt
• roles of peers, adults, family members, and the larger community to effect positive outcomes in youth development.

Furthermore, Paths focuses on "what works" for effective youth programs, and in particular, what works for gender-specific programs for girls and young women. It seeks to uncover and clarify the many paths young people face on the road to adulthood and how they are addressed through participation in youth development programs.

Insights from this publication will be helpful in youth development, youth-adult partnership programming, adult training and support, and organizational planning.

For more information or to order a hard copy of the research review, email the Girl Scout Research Institute or call (800) GSUSA 4 U.