A major function of The Step Outside Initiative will be its review process – the “SOI Index.” Designed similarly to a “Consumer Reports” or “Princeton Review” guide, the index will collect descriptive, quantitative, and qualitative information about every program that is included on our website. The reviews will serve as guides for students, parents, educators, and others with interest in learning more about international service programs. As one parent recently told us, “My daughter is internet savvy, and she can go online and find a million options, but I want to know…is this program reputable?” The index is designed to answer this and many other questions, and will serve as the major user-interface of our website.

Design of the Index:

The review process will follow a carefully designed rubric to examine multiple elements of program design and organizational operations. The rubric is being created based on industry standards - academic research on international service-learning, resources on best practices in international education, as well as the input of experts in the field. While a final version is not ready at the time of this proposal, the following elements are a preliminary list of items expected to be included in the review of any program:

Descriptive information about unique elements of program:

(these elements will also form the search options of the website)

 

    -Geographic region

    -Thematic focus

    -Academic credit available

    -Duration (short-term, long-term, semester, year)

    -Living arrangements (group, homestay, individual)

Quantitative Information:

    -Number of programs offered
    -Number of students participating in an average program
    -Average cost of programs
    -Percentage of fee applied toward overhead vs. program

Qualitative Information:

    -Skill/expertise of facilitation

    -Ease of pre-trip communication
    -Quality of educational focus/facilitation
    -Quality of relationship with host community

     (for example, the extent to which local community participates in definition of project; the length of time the partnership has existed, etc.)

    -Logistical support


Once a draft rubric is completed, SOI staff will complete at least 1-2 “trial” reviews to make sure that this rubric captures the important information and leaves nothing out. Staff will also work with participating organizations to get their feedback on the review rubric during this trial process.


Once finalized for implementation (leaving room for improvements as we move forward) the rubric will be used to discuss the review process with any potential organization. SOI will use a full transparent approach to working with programs – always letting them know when they are being reviewed and by whom, giving them an opportunity to see the review before it is posted (while maintaining SOI’s right to publish regardless), and giving programs more than one opportunity to be reviewed.


Once programs are reviewed, their information will be entered into the online database and made available to perspective participants. Organizations will be welcome to refer people to their listing on the SOI Index, and will also be able to cite their positive review in promotional marketing materials (similar to tour groups that boast an “excellent” rating in a travel guide).


Informal Reviews/Exchanges:


Informal review forums will also exist with each profiled organization. This is an opportunity for anyone visiting the website who has participated in the program to comment on their experience. This is envisioned as a “peer-to-peer” opportunity for young people to hear from each other and will be facilitated through an online blog as part of our website.


In addition, SOI will foster the development of a “Street Team” of students engaged in global volunteerism who review programs, refer friends to SOI, and continue the ongoing exchange of reviews and ideas.


Limits on the Review Process:


We know that we can not possibly review every program that exists. We will do our best to review at least 1-2 programs of any organization that offers multiple sites and/or itineraries, and we will do our best to spread reviews over geographic regions. Limits to the extent of programs reviewed will be openly shared on the website.


Participant Review Stipend: (financial support)


Part of the mission of The Step Outside Initiative is to engage more young adults in global volunteer experiences. However, we recognize the financial constraints that often make these programs inaccessible to some students. In response to that challenge, we will create the “Participant Review Stipend” which will allow students to apply to be official reviewers for SOI in exchange for a small stipend which will help cover some of their expenses for participation. This will be a competitive process, and reviewers will receive formal training through SOI.