Researchers: Dr. Kate Tilleczek (Canada Research Chair in Child/Youth Cultures and Transitions, UPEI), Dr. Ron Srigley (Director of UPEI's Global Issues Program), Ms. Christa Freiler (Director of Research for the Canadian Education Association), Ms. Bethany Toombs (educator & Master's of Education student), and Ms. Joanne MacNevin (educator & Master's of Education student).

Aims and Objectives: This project will examine the possibilities for secondary and post-secondary schools to assist young people in building confidence in learning and the future should they engage them in meaningful critical thinking and citizenship education. It will feed into the Canadian Education Association's (CEA) Youth Confidence in Learning and the Future Project and burgeoning issues of youth civic engagement in education. Moreoever, it will provide a foundation from which to assess the state of pan-Canadian secondary and post-secondary curriculum in this area. The research team will explore links between engaging young people in critical and civic education to enhance their confidence in the future.

Project Methodology: Phase I of this qualitative and exploratory research project will take approximately five months and will involve the collection and critical analysis of the pan-Canadian curriculum from secondary and post-secondary institutions. Phase II will also take approximately five months and will involve developing a pilot process for exploring some of the lessons learned frm the curriculm and examining key indicators of youth confidence/critical thought and citizenship in secondary schools in PEI. This project will pilot test a process for involving educators and youth in meaningful conversation about content and pedagogy in areas of youth confidence/critical thought and citzenship. The research team wishes to establish a forum for school-based group conversations (focus groups) with young people in PEI secondary schools.

Significance/Future Use: Current curriculum in this area could signal opportunities to have these conversations with young people in school. The project and its findings will be of use to CEA, the University of Prince Edward Island, and PEI's Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The research team will form a collaboration that spans Canadian, provincial, and local concerns and perspectives. The project team is commited to sharing the disseminating the results widely and ways that are useful to many audiences. The team wishes to engage youth, educators, policy makers, and academics in an ongoing discussion about the place of critical thinking, civic education, global issues, and youth confidence in the future.