Feature Story Archives | Page 3 of 131

learning environments What John King's teachers were actually doing_feature: group of students listens to black male teacher outdoors teaching them about plants

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Opinion

What John King’s teachers were actually doing

Helping youth thrive is about designing learning environments that prioritize consistency, challenge, and agency.

Structure, control and leaving room, youth environments _feature: image of clay pot spinning on record player

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Opinion

Structure, control and leaving room

Youth practitioners play a critical role in shaping youth environments by establishing norms, safety, and a larger vision — not by controlling...

positive youth development, sparks, environmental education grants: black boy using magnifying glass to study among plants while Asian girl takes notes

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From the Field

On sparks and social capital

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Erica Van Steenis on how sparks — deep interests, qualities, or talents — are central to positive...

Youth dance builds the skills young people need_I credit dance with my pursuit of medicine_feature: group of children dancing on stage, some with arm raised and finger pointing up

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From the Field

Dance builds the skills young people need. I credit dance with my pursuit of medicine.

If we want young people to relish the joy of learning and grow into capable, compassionate adults, youth dance deserves its place...

Childcare, early care, OST: Group young children holding hands while running towards camera across green grass with trees in background

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From the Field

Beyond fragmentation: Advancing continuity of care and cumulative opportunities in OST

OST can move from a patchwork of programs to a cohesive ecosystem boosting equity and learning; becoming a vital part of the...

civic skills, youth thriving, Six reasons to read Teen Centered Civics for Human Thriving_feature: group of teens put hands together over world map

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From the Field

Civic skills for 20 million young people: A Q&A with Rajiv Vinnakota

Karen Pittman speaks with Rajiv Vinnakota about cultivating civic skills that develop effective citizens.

court-involved youth, juvenile justice: Juvenile Juctice Center modern red brick and cement building with black sign

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From the Field

What 20 years with court-involved youth has taught me about breaking systemic cycles

Even with juvenile justice reform, the underlying conditions that result in court-involved youth remain firmly in place.

child abuse, child welfare, foster care:Unhappy Child Sitting On Floor In Corner At Home

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Opinion

Children suffer when child welfare ignores the evidence base

Child abuse deaths are needles in a haystack. But we’ve spent half a century making the haystack bigger.

Child safety was never meant to look like this_feature: A sad little girl hugging her parent to feel safe, tearful.

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Opinion

Child safety was never meant to look like this

The U.S. invokes child protection to justify family separation, prolonged detention and forced placements, but this distorts the origins of child safety.

AI in schools: person on laptop while also using AI chatbot on smartphone

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From the Field

Flourishing in the Age of AI: Q&A with Courtney Garcia of LearnerStudio

Merita Irby speaks with LearnerStudio's Courtney Garcia about a new anthology exploring what it means for young people to flourish in the...

To fix student chronic absenteeism schools ust support families first_feature: Young teacher having meeting with parent of schoolboy, they sitting at table and talking together after lessons

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From the Field

To fix student absenteeism, schools must support families first

With chronic absenteeism still 50% above pre-pandemic levels, schools are using ineffective punitive or reward-based strategies instead of family supports.

On developmental relationships _feature: black coach or mentor and white male student sit on bleachers and talk

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From the Field

On developmental relationships

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Gene Roehlkepartain on how strong developmental relationships are the "active ingredient" in successful youth programs.

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance_feature: recess, group of very happy children playing game with yellow ball

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From the Field

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance

We must ensure kids are experiencing high-quality recess and a school climate that makes them want to attend every day.

QA_ Karen Pittman _2026 NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service Public Education Award_older black woman stand at podium with hands clasped in front of her

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From the Field

Q&A with Karen Pittman, 2026 recipient of the NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service to Public Education Award

Youth Today's Karen Pittman, often referred to as the godmother of positive youth development, received the award on February 13.

Look inside_What MCA taught us about gratitude, growth and growing up_Pass the Mic 4_feature: black and white image of three youths sitting on curb

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Opinion

Look inside: What MCA taught us about gratitude, growth and growing up

MCA’s legacy, when seen through a developmental lens, offers a clear example of how gratitude can emerge alongside maturity, identity and purpose.

Why agency, voice and coherence is the work_feature: group of diverse youth smiling

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Opinion

Why agency, voice and coherence is the work: Supporting social, emotional and academic well-being and thriving in challenging times and contexts

From a developmental perspective, coherence is not something young people are told they are part of; it is something they feel.

The overlooked link between literacy, STEM and student success_feature: Little children with microscope studying Chemistry in science classroom

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From the Field

The overlooked link between literacy, STEM and student success

For decades, schools across the country have invested heavily in literacy reform. New curricula, mandates and funding have reshaped classrooms, yet reading...

On youth program quality_feature2: group of young children learning excitedly around table

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From the Field

On program quality

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Thomas Akiva on how youth-serving organizations can ensure youth program quality by recognizing three key developments.

Twice a refugee _feature: This black-and-white image depicts a dramatic scene of a person holding their head, seemingly distressed, while standing under long, vertical shadows resembling prison bars. The composition and the strong contrast between light and dark create an intense atmosphere, evoking feelings of confinement, mental struggle, and isolation. The texture of the ground and the person's silhouette add depth to the emotional narrative of the photograph.

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Opinion

Twice a refugee

A young, LGBTQ refugee shares their journey from Africa to Trump's United States and then Canada, highlighting the fear permeating immigrant communities.