Panchenko Y. Formation of high school students’ leadership qualities through non-formal education in the USA

The thesis presents analysis of the theory and practice of developing high school students’ leadership qualities by means of non-formal education in the USA. The author analyses the system of forming high-school students’ leadership skills in children and youth organizations in the United States of America, determines the following theoretical and methodological principles of its functioning: socio-political precondition; flexibility, transparency and openness, autonomy, polyconceptuality, and interdisciplinarity. The author determines conditions necessary for successful functioning of such non-governmental organizations as institutes of non-formal education in the USA. They include: providing organization with state financial support; successful fund-raising; chapters in almost all regions of the country; conducting at least one annual mass event gathering representatives of all chapters; organizational symbols; growth opportunities in organization; award system; systematic special training of local chapter coordinators; regular printed or electronic publications; educational and methodological support; systematic special training for local chapter leaders; participating in financed projects and programs. The possibilities of creative use of constructive ideas of American experience in non-formal education in Ukraine are outlined. At the socio-political level, the author suggests that non-formal education organizations should take into account national priorities and include types of work aimed at socially useful activities. Also, they should be encouraged to apply for the Ministry of Youth and Sport of Ukraine funding. At the financial and economic level, the need has been identified: to establish links between business, community, education and non-governmental organizations. For this, organizations should create alumni associations; create opportunities on the website to make contributions; bring sponsors into a single register, thus promoting their activities; intensify the grant activity of youth non-governmental organizations; seek multiple funding opportunities. At the organizational level, the author suggests that the following characteristics should be applied to the non-governmental organizations: a two-tier structure – at the local and national levels; the principles of democracy; growth opportunities; a system of comparability of chapters’ work and formation of a sense of the members’ belonging (stages of growth in the organization, distinctions, product descriptions, symbols, uniform, etc.). At the methodology level it is indicated that it is necessary: to introduce a system of training for coordinators and trainers at local and national levels; to develop educational and methodological support of general and specific types of activities of the organization. At the information level, the author emphasizes the importance of creating a special portal devoted to children's and youth non-governmental organizations as well as creating single state statistics database of such organizations, etc. The conclusion is made on the necessity of observing the specified conditions for the successful formation of leadership qualities in high-school students in the system of informal education of Ukraine.