School-Age Notes—September 2008
“Engagement Key for Successful Teen Literacy Programs”

Sarah Jonas (Children's Aid Society) and Eric Gurna (Development Without Limits) report on the importance of “compelling and relevant literature” to middle school youth:

"The Children's Aid Society" began using the Real Stories program because staff members said they felt the curriculum was developmentally appropriate for adolescents and would help them develop literacy and life skills (particularly in the social, moral and emotional domains)...

“Staff members report that youth who might otherwise be turned off by reading in an after-school program are engaged because 'the stories cover a range of topics that really speak to young people's interests, concerns and vision of the world—and themselves’ ” [PDF of article]

Association of Educational Publishers—June 2008

Real Stories, Real Teens was named "Best Curriculum Package for a Specialized Audience" (Grades 9-12, Nonfiction) in the 2008 Distinguished Achievement Awards, a prestigious competition sponsored by the Association of Education Publishers (AEP).

The AEP is comprised of the major educational publishers in the nation, including Scholastic, Time for Kids, National Geographic, Highlights and Weekly Reader. Youth Communication competes directly with these large companies and adult-written publications for the AEP awards.

Youth Today—February 2008
“Let’s Stress the Fun in Fundamental,” by Jane Quinn, February 2008

Ms. Quinn surveys four innovative programs that integrate literacy and youth development. She writes:

“The answer is not to do more of what schools do. We have ample evidence that many schools are turning kids off to reading with their low-interest content, overly standardized instructional processes, and stifling emphasis on test preparation….

“In contrast to this all-too-familiar scenario of failure, consider these recent innovations designed to appeal to teenagers’ interests, needs, and thirst for relevance:

“Real Stories, Real Teens is an after school literacy curriculum that uses peer-written stories to promote literacy and social-emotional learning. Created by Youth Communication in partnership with Development Without Limits, this program incorporates chapters from the Bluford High School series of young adult novels….” [PDF of article]