‘We didn't even realize that kids like us could go on the radio’ – an evaluation of a Victorian schools youth development programme

Abstract

This paper reports on a comprehensive evaluation of the Advance programme by Victoria University in 2007/08. Advance is a flexible school-based programme for young people to volunteer or implement a project of benefit to their communities in the state of Victoria, in Australia. It is a partnership between the Office for Youth, Victorian government secondary schools, and community organizations. Through participation in Advance, young people identify issues of concern or interest in their communities, and then work in partnership with community organizations to develop and deliver a community-based project or series of volunteering activities. Young people are encouraged to plan projects that build skills and make a difference in their community. This research collected data from nearly 1,000 young people. The paper reports on their perspectives of a programme that provided them with the opportunities to lead a programme and to engage in a curriculum that was underpinned by a strong pedagogy of experiential learning.

Keywords:

• citizenship
• lifelong learning
• schooling
• transition