Are you an teacher who is concerned with how student voice is ignored in your school?
Are you a principal who wants students to be involved in making the decisions that affect them everyday?
Here are some ways adults can support engaging student voice in school every day!
- Make students’ concerns visible in your school by posting them in your classroom and sharing them at meetings where adults are.
- Use participatory action research in your classroom for students to take action in your school.
- Be an advocate for students at school meetings.
- Make sure students are at the table whenever your school is making choices about students.
- Create classroom lesson plans that actively engage students in critical thinking about education and action that changes schools.
- Sponsor a letter with students to the building or district or state administration
- about student issues.
- Respect students as you do adults. Don’t expect more from students than you do adults and don’t interpret for students what they can say for themselves.
- Listen specifically to students whose voices are seldom heard in schools.
- Connect with other adult allies who want to involve students meaningfully, both in your school and others, and around the community.
- Help students create a listing of all opportunities for their involvement in your school and community.
- Join or form a community task force with students to address youth issues and coordinate responses in schools.
- Prepare students for multiple roles in your school, including learner, teacher, and leader.
- Recognize student involvement. Don’t assume that just because someone is a student that they enjoy school. Help them appreciate it by giving class credit or through other meaningful recognition.
- Hold students accountable for their mistakes and challenges. Be honest and forthright with young people and support their efforts to improve.
- Speak to students with respect and avoid interrupting students.
You can learn more at http://www.soundout.org/article.101.html
