Amplifying Student Voice

"To improve student achievement, it makes sense to go straight to the source---- students."

This is a quote from an article in the November 2008 issue of Educational Leadership entitled, Amplifying Student Voice. The author, Dana Mitra summarizes the strong research base which strongly suggests that if we want reform to take hold we should involve students. These efforts can improve teachers' classroom practice, student-teacher relationships, students' agency, and sense of membership in the school.

The article gives examples of student leadership which range from sharing opinions and thoughts to collaboration with adults to solve problems. In rare cases, students assume leadership roles to promote innovation.

If you haven't already check out the Student Advisory Council post as another example of including the positive energy of students in the change process.

Benefits of Including Student Voice:

  • Gain new insights into problems
  • Strengthen relationships between students, teachers and administrators
  • Strengthen school pride
  • Build student leadership capacity ------ after all isn't that what schools are about?
  • Increase accountability - it's hard not to take the change process seriously and proactively with students sitting at the table!

Mitra, D. (November 2008). Amplifying student voice. Educational Leadership, p. 20-25.

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