Questscope Non-Formal Education Impact Study

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the effectiveness of Questscope Non-Formal Education (QS NFE) on impacting psychosocial outcomes for out-of-school youth, ages 13-21, in Jordan. QS NFE is an empowerment-based education program. A unique agreement with the Jordanian Ministry of Education enables participating youth to receive a 10th-grade equivalent certificate upon successful completion of the 24-month non-formal education. The main components of QS NFE include retraining formal education teachers for fostering positive relationships with at-risk youth, asset-building learning and social activities, and a youth-driven learning environment. The study hypothesis is that by engaging youth in positive relationships with local teachers and enabling the youth to drive the learning experience, the intervention will have positive impacts on general self-efficacy, social supports, social skills, and strengths and difficulties.

Detailed Description
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This randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluates the effectiveness of Questscope Non-Formal Education (QS NFE) on impacting psychosocial outcomes for out-of-school youth, ages 13-21, in Jordan. QS NFE is an empowerment-based education program. A unique agreement with the Jordanian Ministry of Education enables participating youth to receive a 10th-grade equivalent certificate upon successful completion of the 24-month non-formal education. The main components of QS NFE include retraining formal education teachers for fostering positive relationships with at-risk youth, asset-building learning and social activities, and a youth-driven learning environment. The study hypothesis is that by engaging youth in positive relationships with local teachers and enabling the youth to drive the learning experience, the intervention will have positive impacts on general self-efficacy, social supports, social skills, and strengths and difficulties. Youth will be recruited according to normal Questscope recruitment procedures by program leaders in five poverty pocket communities in Amman, Jordan. Six QS NFE centers will be involved in the impact evaluation (four male centers and 2 female centers). Youth will be recruited, enrolled, and randomized on an individual basis until each NFE center's sample target is met (between 24 and 40 youth, depending on the center). The overall sample target is 200 for the six NFE centers aggregately (100 intervention group and 100 waitlist comparison). The study aims to recruit 54 females and 146 males. Randomization will be conducted electronically using a random permuted block method through SealedEnvelope.com. Data collection for outcome measures will involve a computer-based, self-administered questionnaire designed with The Survey System software by Creative Research Systems. The computer-based survey will provide both text and audio to accommodate low literacy levels. In the event that a participant rejects his/her random assignment within 48 hours of enrollment, the youth will be replaced in the study and will not be included in final data analysis. Additionally, all siblings recruited together into the study will be blocked and randomized together in enrollment.

Conditions
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Education, Empowerment, Self-efficacy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Questscope Non-Formal Education


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: age 13-18 males or 13-21 females out of the formal education system for more than six months Exclusion Criteria: has already participated in QS NFE not in the above-specified age range

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 13 Years
Maximum Age: 21 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Youth Club<br>The intervention will be compared to a waitlist comparison group. The group will enter NFE after the four-month posttest. During the four months, the youth will be offered a biweekly recreational youth club. The club will be led by Jordanian university student volunteers out of community-based organizations. Club activities will take place approximately every two weeks, including games, sports, arts and crafts, cultural activities, and trips. The Club will not include any significant education components or youth empowerment methodology--the hypothesized active ingredients of QS NFE. | Behavioral: Questscope Non-Formal Education<br>* Participation in two-hour classes for three to five days per week. Duration involves 24 months of programming (three, eight-month learning cycles), but this randomized controlled trial will only assess impacts of participation in the first four months. Regular presence of trained, supportive adults. Educational topics and class activities determined by the youth as a group with the support of the adult teachers (facilitators).<br>|
| Experimental: Questscope Non-Formal Education<br>Participation in two-hour classes for three to five days per week. Duration involves 24 months of programming (three, eight-month learning cycles), but this randomized controlled trial will only assess impacts of participation in the first four months. Regular presence of trained, supportive adults. Educational topics and class activities determined by the youth as a group with the support of the adult teachers (facilitators). | Behavioral: Questscope Non-Formal Education<br>* Participation in two-hour classes for three to five days per week. Duration involves 24 months of programming (three, eight-month learning cycles), but this randomized controlled trial will only assess impacts of participation in the first four months. Regular presence of trained, supportive adults. Educational topics and class activities determined by the youth as a group with the support of the adult teachers (facilitators).<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| self-reported general self-efficacy |  | pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest | 
| self-reported social skills |  | pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest | 
| self-reported strengths and difficulties |  | pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest | 
| self-reported social supports |  | pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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dropout youth in low income communities in Amman, Jordan