Project GPS

Project GPS was developed by the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development (IARYD) at Tufts University to provide useful tools for youth-serving organizations on thriving and the science of managing goals. These tools include: rubrics to measure goal management (GPS) and Positive Youth Development (PYD), GPS manuals that include a suite of activities to build and apply GPS skills, and short videos showing GPS exemplars.

The rubrics are a ground breaking series of quick and easy measurement tools focused on different aspects of goal management and positive youth development. The rubrics help both youth and their adult guides reflect on the youth’s strengths and areas for improvement. The tools are developmentally and culturally appropriate for young people in their family and community contexts. The measurement tools are equivalent across ages so that scores can be compared over time as a young person grows.

• GPS Manual Book 1: Chapters 1-2 of the GPS manual includes background on some research carried out on goal management and positive youth development.
• GPS Manual Book 2: Chapters 1-4 of the GPS manual includes a guide for the adult guide to introduce rubrics for GPS and PYD to the young people they work with.
• GPS Manual Book 3: Chapters 1-6 provides adult guides with activities to develop the GPS skills that have been identified as areas for growth.
• GPS Manual Book 3: Chapters 7-9 include discussion templates for adult guides that accompany each of the Exemplar Videos

IARYD also produced a series of Exemplar Videos of young people who have demonstrated excellent GPS skills towards a thriving trajectory.

Draft rubrics in this section of the website are provided exclusively for Tufts pilot participants. They may not be used without written approval from IARYD. Click here to request permission to use the rubrics or receive more information.