Youth Voices Survey: Identifying the current issues facing youth
Abstract
Through its array of programs, Usher’s New Look (UNL), shapes young people into critical thinkers and future leaders. UNL was uniquely positioned to uplift youth voices and gather youth insights on current issues that affect their lives. Because UNL focuses on developing trusting relationships with their participants, youth are candid and openly share about the issues they face and the change they want to see and be in this world.
Through a grant provided by the Walton Family Foundation, UNL launched a nationwide research project to help educators, education funders, and decisionmakers better understand student insights and perspectives about their K-12 school experiences and key issues in education. UNL contracted with Urban Metrics Consultants, LLC (UMC) to develop and conduct a collaborative mixed method-approach to source the most pressing issues identified by current and former UNL participants residing all over the nation, with a special focus on youth in Georgia. The survey was piloted by current participants and alumni to ensure item validity and to test question style preference and the finalized survey was distributed to UNL’s wide network of students. Data was collected from over 800 youth.
Across gender, age, and race differences, the quantitative data indicated that the three most important top issues for youth are mental health, gun violence and social media respectively. The qualitative data supported the quantitative findings. Overall, the top six issues were the three forementioned issues as well as education, financial literacy, and poverty. Youth indicated these topics are interwoven in a complex tapestry. Most importantly, the youth expressed diverse ideas and strategies that can address these issues. The goal is to meet youth where they are to make a difference in their lives. Youth are able to both identify the issues they face and are the key to a sustained solution.
Keywords
Youth Development, Current Issues, Mental Health
Youth Voices Survey: Identifying the current issues facing youth
Through its array of programs, Usher’s New Look (UNL), shapes young people into critical thinkers and future leaders. UNL was uniquely positioned to uplift youth voices and gather youth insights on current issues that affect their lives. Because UNL focuses on developing trusting relationships with their participants, youth are candid and openly share about the issues they face and the change they want to see and be in this world.
Through a grant provided by the Walton Family Foundation, UNL launched a nationwide research project to help educators, education funders, and decisionmakers better understand student insights and perspectives about their K-12 school experiences and key issues in education. UNL contracted with Urban Metrics Consultants, LLC (UMC) to develop and conduct a collaborative mixed method-approach to source the most pressing issues identified by current and former UNL participants residing all over the nation, with a special focus on youth in Georgia. The survey was piloted by current participants and alumni to ensure item validity and to test question style preference and the finalized survey was distributed to UNL’s wide network of students. Data was collected from over 800 youth.
Across gender, age, and race differences, the quantitative data indicated that the three most important top issues for youth are mental health, gun violence and social media respectively. The qualitative data supported the quantitative findings. Overall, the top six issues were the three forementioned issues as well as education, financial literacy, and poverty. Youth indicated these topics are interwoven in a complex tapestry. Most importantly, the youth expressed diverse ideas and strategies that can address these issues. The goal is to meet youth where they are to make a difference in their lives. Youth are able to both identify the issues they face and are the key to a sustained solution.
