Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Project in mainland China : curriculum development, training, prorgam implementation and evaluation

Abstract

The P.A.T.H.S Project in Hong Kong was launched in 2005 with more than 200,000 students (over 600,000 student times) participating in the project. Because of its overwhelming success, Tin Ka Ping (TKP) Foundation provided support for transplanting the project in Mainland China. The research team adapted the curriculums used in Hong Kong for mainland junior secondary school students. At the same time, in view of the need for the P.A.T.H.S. Project of senior secondary school students, the research team also developed senior secondary curriculums. As teachers are key stakeholders for successful project implementation, we conducted training programs for the potential implementers to help them understand the theories behind the positive youth development approach, curriculum design, experiential teaching and learning pedagogies, and project evaluation. Using different evidence-based evaluation strategies, we conclude that the Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Project achieved great success in mainland China with enthusiastic support from different stakeholders. Evaluation findings strongly suggest that the Tin Ka Ping P.A.T.H.S. Project can promote the holistic development of Chinese senior secondary school students and it constitutes an effective protective factor for Chinese adolescents.