Excel Girls’ Group: Creating a Curriculum to Address Self-Worth and Goal Setting with Adolescent Females

Term

Summer 8-13-2014

Capstone

Thesis

Degree Name

MAEd

Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair

Barbara Swanson

Secondary Advisor/Reader One

Stephanie McCarty

Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two

Jessica Anderson

Abstract

The research question addressed in this project was, based on the research and the specific needs of Excel female students, how can a curriculum address self-esteem and future goal setting for high school girls? The motivating factor was the writer’s experience with Excel, a schoolwithin- a-school program that offers smaller classes and more support for students who are at risk of dropping out of high school. The writer’s growing concern over the female population within Excel inspired her to research self-worth in adolescent females. Key influences include Rader’s (2005) work on self-esteem, Pipher’s (1994) narratives on helping girls maintain their authentic and true selves, and Costa and Kallick’s (2000) reflections on becoming self-aware. The writer explains the influence of family and school life, peer relationships, and the media on female’s self-worth, then documents eight research-supported lessons to help female students identify their strengths and create plans for the future.

Keywords

Community Building, Gender

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