ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that ensuring that the curriculum is relevant to student's interests and concerns, promotes critical thinking and carries a meaningful purpose may be crucial to increasing student engagement and successful learning in school. It examines participatory action research (PAR) with young people to illustrate the possibilities and principles embedded in an innovative approach to teaching and learning. The chapter also discusses PAR as a pedagogical approach and curriculum that builds on critical youth studies, asset-based pedagogies and culturally relevant pedagogy. Participatory action research with young people can be advanced as a participatory approach to teaching and learning that builds on youth as assets, focuses on youth development, advances academic skills and promotes participation and agency. The adult-supported learning contexts that promote young people's involvement in project decision-making, planning and design entail providing a curriculum and skill-building instruction to student researchers.
