Students are experts on effective teaching and school leadership.
This is a truth regardless of age or ability level. Listen to student opinions and how they express their values in individual perspectives on their education.
What? Listen to students???
Educators stand up and define themselves as student-centered. They are at confident in how they engage students based on their interpretation of student needs. These needs are defined by an institutional education system, past practices and test scores.
Where does a student’s voice fit into this system? And, most importantly, who has the time?
Will a 3rd grader approach their assistant principal in the hallway and say, “Hey Mr. Abbot, I think we should teach geography outside on a big map of the world?” Probably not. Getting students to state their opinions is not difficult…or rocket science. Just ask.
First, provide safe instruments to gather information.
Create and distribute a student survey late in the school year.
Make this a predictable exercise by staying consistent with length, content, and administration.
Work toward encouraging students to looking forward to completing the survey.
Publicize the results. Even the not-so-pleasant results. Post on social media, mention in end and start of school assemblies.
Celebrate successes and acknowledge the need for improvements. This generates trust.
Additional survey options are course evaluations, mental health and bulling, school climate or faculty evaluation surveys. Conduct surveys with 25 or less questions during the school day (not during lunch or prior to dismissal). Include both Likert scales and open questions. (Look for survey examples in Serving Smart Kids, Brenda Small, 2022)
Students may feel more comfortable with a web-based comment section on the school website. Gathering student voices in every venue possible!
Add this method to the survey.
Experiment with keeping the comments open to the public.
A school may want to limit access to those students and parents with online password-protected access to the SIS (student information system).
Allow for anonymous entries.
Second, generate trust through actively involving students in their own education through student centered actions. Empowering students to express their values and opinions in public generates trust.
Easy to do. No extra work or time needed.
Start with Student Led Conferences. Gather school counselors. Reveal the objectives. Let counselors create the format. During the conference, the student follows an agenda created by the counselor. Their leadership drives the conference in gathering information from their parents and teachers to create opportunities for success. (More conference tips in Serving Smart Kids, Brenda Small, 2022)
Public gatherings include student voice. This is a school. Let the students do the talking. Include student speakers in presentations in and out of school. Empower the students to choose their topics. Presentations to faculty, community groups and students express their opinions and beliefs in their own words. Of course, pre-reading by an adult is required – especially for our wonderful teens. (Find speaking topics in Smart Kid Terminology, Brenda Small, 2022)
Create a school culture that obviously values student voice. Take simple actions such as giving students opportunities to
make daily school announcements
create a student council
engage all levels of learners in think tanks
include a wide variety of classes on registration sheets
lunch menu options
class schedule choices
assignment delivery choices (written, presentation, digital, etc.)
The value of student voice in a school is reflected in the school’s daily actions and expectations.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if we placed 5 – 10 students in a room for a day with one objective. They are asked to create an effective learning environment. Take it further and ask this committee to define the jobs of each of the players: parents, teachers, administrators, counselors, etc. Does the age of the students in the group matter? Not really, mix up the ages and abilities. Pure Student Voice! Imagine the results.
Our students are future leaders, voters and parents. Give them tools to use their voice.
Look for upcoming topics:
Graduating Students is your job
Teacher Voices LISTEN!
My Perfectionist is not PERFECT!
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