Valued Youth Partnership

Successful Dropout Prevention & Student Leadership

The IDRA Valued Youth Partnership is a research-based, internationally-recognized dropout prevention program that has kept 98% of its tutors in school.

The Valued Youth Partnership, created by the Intercultural Development Research Association, is an internationally-recognized, cross-age tutoring program with an unusual twist. This dropout prevention program works by identifying junior high and high school students in at-risk situations and enlisting them as tutors for elementary school youngsters who are also struggling in school. Given this role of personal and academic responsibility, the Valued Youth tutors learn self-discipline and develop self-esteem. Schools shift to the philosophy and practices of valuing students considered at-risk.

Results show that tutors stay in school, have increased academic performance, improved school attendance and advanced to higher education.

 


Flier: How VYP transforms student socio-emotional learning and relationships with school


 

Webinar 2021 recording: How the IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Works

Webinar 2021 recording: Ready – Reopen – Reconnect! Proven Strategies for Re-engaging Students Who Need You the Most

eBook: Ready – Renew – Reconnect! Proven Strategies for Re-engaging Students Who Need You the Most


The Valued Youth Partnership exemplifies IDRA’s asset-based approach. The program is based on the creed that all students are valuable, none is expendable. It has maintained a less than 2% dropout rate, which is an incredible legacy.

Since its inception in 1984, the program has kept 35,600 students in school – young people who were previously considered at risk of dropping out. The lives of more than 738,000 children, families and educators have been positively impacted by the program. The program design is based on IDRA research on the dropout issue and school holding power. The program has grown across the United States and has been in Brazil, England and Puerto Rico.


 

 

See the program brochure

See news releases and statements in our pressroom.

Contact IDRA (contact@idra.org) at IDRA to learn how to bring the Valued Youth Partnership program to your school!


*formerly named the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program

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Getting Started at Your School

How do schools move from having a dropout rate that raises concern to having a successful dropout prevention and youth...

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Program Overview

The Valued Youth Partnership* is a research-based, internationally-recognized dropout prevention program that has kept 98 percent of its tutors in...

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Program Elements

The philosophy of the Valued Youth Partnership gives strength to its instructional strategies and support strategies. Instructional Strategies Classes for...

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Research-Based Design

The Valued Youth Partnership* was identified as an effective program in Show Me the Evidence! Proven and Promising Programs for...

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Valued Youth Partnership Videos

Video Clips about the Valued Youth Partnership*    

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News Stories

Highlights from News Stories about the Valued Youth Partnership   Teens Win 2019 National Essay Contest Awards Six students received...

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IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Student Essay Contest

IDRA Valued Youth Partnership Tutors Share Stories of the Program’s Impact on Their Lives Teens Win 2023 National Essay Contest...

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Evaluation Design

Our evaluation holds IDRA and our partner schools accountable to student success – a less than 2 percent dropout rate...

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Recognition and Awards

White House named IDRA Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program a Hispanic Ed “Bright Spot” Approved by the U.S. Department of Education’s...

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Continuities – Lessons for the Future of Education

In 2009, IDRA celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Valued Youth Partnership program, (formerly called the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program)...

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The Program in Brazil

13 Years of the Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program in Brazil IDRA’s Coca-Cola Valued Youth Program is a research-based dropout prevention...

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