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Student Voice

Learning Experiences

Design/Teaching Strategy

Foundational Civic Knowledge

Current And Controversial Issues

Simulations

Informed Action

Extracurricular Activities

Organizational Culture

School Climate

Student Voice

Vision and Leadership

Teacher Hiring Assessment Professional Development

School Community Partnerships

Student Voice

Schools provide formal, informal, and regular opportunities for student voice and student decision-making that is impactful at various levels of the school community by:

  • Integrating student voice in regards to curriculum, assessments, and classroom procedures and practices
  • Establishing transparent and ongoing schoolwide mechanisms to measure, gauge, analyze, and respond to student voices that are representative of the student body
  • Providing forums for student voice on questions, tensions, and issues that impact the student body
  • Informing students of their rights and responsibilities in school
  • Facilitating school-wide democratic deliberation on school issues through school media and extra-curricular programs
Concept Map

Definition

Schools provide formal, informal, and regular opportunities for student voice and student decision-making that is impactful at various levels of the school community

Evidence

  • Illinois 5Essentials Survey
  • DSN Student Survey/Self-Assessment Rubric
  • Extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations available to students
  • Course/curricular content
  • Student-led newspaper/media outlet
  • Summary of various advisory boards’ and committees’ agendas and minutes; assessment of decisions made

Examples

  • Student voice committees at the school level communicate with administration about student concerns
  • Seminar classes allow students to decide what they learn/talk about
  • Student-faculty forums where students discuss with faculty and administration about pressing school and/or community issues
  • Student collaboration around assignment rubrics and choice of assignments
  • Student input around student code of conduct
  • Principal Advisory Board influences decision making from school leaders
  • Student government builds policy with administration

Connections to Principles of “Lived Civics”

  • Students have a say in subjects they discuss in class that revolve around their lived experiences and identities
  • Representation of voices heard are equitably distributed across the student body
  • Students use their voice to question traditional power structures in the classroom, school, and community
Case Study

George Washington High School has created an exceptional number of opportunities to foster student voice. The Student Voice Committee is open to all students, meets twice weekly both before and after school, and fosters student leadership. The SVC conducts surveys to find out the most pressing issues students face, research possible solutions to these issues, and then meets with adult power holders to address the concerns and make proposals for change.

Washington students are also involved on many committees that are typically reserved for administrators, teachers, parents, and community members. Each year the 9th through 11th grade students vote for their representative on the Local School Council for the following school year. This representative has some voting power and regularly reports out about student concerns at the monthly meetings. Meanwhile other students serve on the Instructional Leadership Team, School Improvement Committee, Student Voice and Civic Engagement Team, and Postsecondary Team. In these ways our student body can express their opinions when adults are making decisions that affect their education.