Questscope Non-Formal Education Impact Study

Education Clinical Trial

— QSNFEIS  

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01001286
• Other study ID #: QS-001
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2
• First received: October 23, 2009
• Last updated: August 3, 2011
• Start date: October 2009
• Est. completion date: April 2011

Study information

• Verified date: August 2011
• Source: University of Oxford
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Jordan: Ethical Committee
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

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.

Description:

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 200
• Est. completion date: April 2011
• Est. primary completion date: May 2010
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 13 Years to 21 Years

Eligibility

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

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Single Blind (Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Education
• Empowerment
• Self-efficacy

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Questscope Non-Formal Education
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").

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Jordan	Al Mutasm School	Amman
Jordan	Al Urdan School	Amman
Jordan	Al Zubaidieh School	Amman
Jordan	Ali Reda Al Rekabi School	Amman
Jordan	Mauth Bin Jabal School	Amman
Jordan	Umama Bint Abi Al A'as	Amman

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Oxford

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Jordan, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	self-reported general self-efficacy		pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest	No
Primary	self-reported social skills		pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest	No
Primary	self-reported strengths and difficulties		pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest	No
Primary	self-reported social supports		pretest at enrollment (October 2009-January 2010) and 4 months following pretest	No

External Links

•   Wesbsite for Questscope, the organization implementing the intervention.