Student Voice should be an integral component to every single school in order to create an engaged student body on track for graduation and postsecondary success. Districts and schools need to develop a multi-faceted system of student voice that goes as far as to the classroom level. Through connecting the plethora of pre-existing student voice groups and systems and building understanding in the field, many more districts and schools should see the benefits and implement their own program. On the flipside, through social media, outreach, and empowerment strategies, students need to understand its importance, develop the capacity, and know how to access resources for starting groups themselves. Besides Roosevelt, there are other student groups like Students for Education Reform that can help in this effort.
My objectives of my student voice project are twofold. One, to connect associated groups that could help with spreading the word, building capacity, and implementing student voice systems in schools. The other component is to create an online clearinghouse of student voice initiatives, which would contain direct examples of best practices across the country, discussion boards for Q&A between various people implementing student voice (or interested in implementing), and information for connecting boots-on-the-ground advocates for student voice with large partner organizations, like State Farm and the America’s Promise Alliance, for support.
I would implement this by: 1) an increased number of student voice groups and schools implementing programs across the country.2. The population of the clearninghouse online resource from people in the field. 3. Increased awareness with partner organizations on the importance of students voice and their increased support.
I hope to work with America's Promise Alliance student group, Students for Education Reform, State Farm Youth Advisory Board, and Michigan Department of Education to make this idea a reality.
