This tool was created in order to help young people and adults develop a common language for talking about how to improve schools. The tool provides educators, young people, administrators, policy makers, parents, community members and other stake holders with a common lens for reflecting on their schools and for planning change. It can also be useful in assessing the range of reform models and change strategies underway in a district or school at any given time. This tool can be used in a variety of ways, as presented in seven appendices: (1) Discussion Outline for Youth-Centered Learning Environments; (2) Self Assessment and Self Assessment Discussion Outline; (3) Preparing for a Visit to Another School; (4) Preparing for a Self Assessment of Your Home School; (5) Debriefing the Site Visit; (6) Suggestions for Next Steps; and (7) Observation and Discussion Tool: Abridged. (Contains 21 endnotes.)