On May 21, 2011, Matthew Morton, a researcher from Oxford University, gave a presentation at the Ministry of Education about the impact of Questscope's non-formal education programs in Jordan.

1. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL POLICY & INTERVENTION
Impact Study
Non-Formal Education

2. Presentation aims
1. Impacts of NFE for youth
2. Factors that influence program impacts
3. Ways to strengthen impacts on youth outcomes
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 2

3. What’s the problem?
 Economic cost of youth exclusion: 7.3% GDP ($1.5 billion) in
Jordan
 Dropouts at higher risk:
 Problem behaviors
 Lower emotional wellbeing
 Exploitive work
 Abuse
 Lower lifetime earnings
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 3

4. Why do youth leave school?
 Did not like school (28%)
 School failure (18%)
 Family restrictions—girls (9%)
 Household poverty (5%)
Jordan Dept of Statistics – Jordan Multipurpose Household Survey 2003
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 4

5. Theory of Change
Social Positive
Participatory
emotional transitions to
methodology
development adulthood
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 5

6. Study sample
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 6

7. Randomized study design
posttest
pretest 4-month
NFE
(6 centers)
Dropout
youth
(127) Control
(waitlist)
Qualitative interviews (36)
+ Empowerment survey (100)
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 7

8. Impact on Conduct Problems
Conduct problems
predict future
problems with:
- Relationships
- Mental health
- Unemploym’t
- Partner violence
- Illegal behavior
Control NFE
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 8

9. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE
IMPACTS
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 9

10. Factor 1. Feeling Empowered
 Centers varied in how empowered youth felt
(supported and involved in program planning and
implementation)
 Key finding: Greater impacts on youth in centers
where they felt more empowered (especially for
prosocial behavior & social skills)
 Makes strong case for Participatory Methodology
 Age group difference: Older youth (16-21) felt more
empowered by the program than younger youth
(13-15)
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 10

11. Factor 2: Exposure
Attendance & Peer Social Supports Outcome
• 52% of youth
attended 2+ e
ag
days per wk k
av
er
ee
rw
pe
ys
• More attendance 2
da
an
related to more e
th
or
impact m
les
st
ha
n2
day
sp
er
we
ek
ave
rag
e
Pretest Posttest
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 11

12. Factor 3: Age group
 Data shows more program effect on younger adolescents
(13-15)
 Younger youth may need more:
 Participatory experiences
 Positive peer group activities
 Older youth may need more:
 Challenging leadership roles
 Intimate relationships
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 12

13. BEST PRACTICES
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 13

14. What youth need from facilitators
Top attributes
★ listening (to all)
★ making youth feel valuable
★ friendship
★ patience
★ engaging activities
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 14

15. What facilitators need from partners/
institutions
★ Input & roles in
program priorities
★ Communication &
coordination
★ Professional
development
★ Increased resources for
activities & youth support
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 15

16. Concluding recommendations
1. Expand participatory methodologies in schools &
communities
2. Develop participatory approaches geared towards different
age groups; integrate youth-led projects with adult support
3. Ensure regularity of facilitator development & exchanges
4. High frequency & diversity of engaging activities (led by youth
input)
5. On-going evaluation systems of program processes &
impacts (not just inputs & outputs)
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 16

17. Thank you!
Ministry of Education, Questscope, Oxford University, Al-Hayat
Center, British Council
Funded by Open Society Institute Foundation & Questsope
email: matthew.morton@spi.ox.ac.uk
Impacts of non-formal
education Page 17