Youth explore more about dog health, nutrition, and care, genetic problems, population control, showmanship, training, ethics and budgeting. Youth who engage in this curriculum will develop essential dog project skills such as selecting a dog; investigating breeds; appreciating dogs' places and roles in society; practicing grooming, fitting,…

Describes a study of 192 first-year vocational agriculture teachers to determine their attitudes toward using the Future Farmers of America as an instructional technique. Sixteen conclusions from the analysis of data are listed. Seven recommendations for improvement of beginning vocational agriculture teachers are provided. (LRA)

Describes how the course of study is a starting point for making the Future Farmers of America (FFA) an integral part of the vocational agriculture program. Example courses of study with related FFA activities are presented for a basic agriculture class and a horticulture class. (LRA)

School-based youth community service programs are helping students develop individual and social responsibility, and build intergenerational bonds. Elements necessary to reap maximum benefit are described followed by five examples of nationally recognized programs. Project ideas and factors for success are offered. (SI)

Describes initiatives undertaken by the Job Corps in recent years to improve the educational abilities of the enrollees served, and reports results of various research efforts to examine the effectiveness of some of these initiatives. Evidence suggests that Job Corps initiatives have improved basic skills of students. (SLD)

Describes a Carnegie-funded study that examined the effectiveness of youth organizations in reaching adolescents aged 10-15 and in reaching and serving young people growing up in high-risk environments. How the study was conducted, 10 themes that emerged from the study, and the major implications for librarians and their community partners are…

Although youth apprenticeship models appear to have great potential, the following problems must be addressed before the strategy can succeed: (1) securing employer involvement; (2) assuring and improving the quality of on-the-job learning; and (3) confronting equity issues in public policy in incorporating work into the core educational system.…

Describes different types of providers in school-age child care, one of the fastest growing segments in early childhood care. Providers described include child care centers, public schools, private schools and other providers such as youth services agencies, with funding coming from employers, foundations, and the federal government. Notes the…

Presents a four-stage model for dioceses wishing to integrate media literacy into elementary and secondary religious studies and parish youth programs. Describes the Vatican's 1992 Aetatis Novae: Pastoral Instruction on Social Communications, and its effect on Catholic curricula. (VWC)

This article sets out a rationale and provides a model for family work by group care practitioners. In doing so it points out that practitioners will need to avoid parent blaming attitudes and become family-centered rather than simply child-focused. Thus the critical issues to be addressed are how to ensure that a group care program is from an…

Relatively little is known about the unique challenges facing queer youth programs such as Project 10 and Gay-Straight Alliances, housed in urban high schools where the majority of students are poor, non-White, and/or non-native English speakers. This article begins a conversation about two important issues that the author believes have an impact…

This article presents the findings of a research study on the quality of the learning experiences of youth with disabilities who participated in Wisconsin's Youth Apprenticeship (YA) Program--a rigorous two-year work-based learning program for high school juniors and seniors. The researchers identify key factors that enhance the capacity of youth…

Recent research suggests that a youth development framework emphasizing youth assets may be a promising intervention strategy for preventing adolescent risk behaviors. Understanding how neighborhood and community resources relate to youth assets may aid in identifying environmental strategies to complement individually oriented asset-building…

The International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI) promotes the wellbeing of children growing up in difficult circumstances. ICDI works to improve policies and practices affecting these children by doing research and training. ICDI believes in the power of children and young people, supporting their rights and addressing the underlying causes…

Historically, land-grant university research stations focused on demonstrating successful farming methods. The land-grant mission and the principles at its foundation have broad applicability, and we believe the land-grant principles can be successfully applied in urban settings to a university's work with youth and families. In this article we…