TakingITGlobal - Panorama - Youth Action for...

Published on: May 4, 2003

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https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=1283

The irony is that while hundreds of districts across the United States and dozens in Canada have policies that promote student involvement in decision-making, they often go underused and under-reported. For instance, there is a law in California that explicitly states the obligation of school districts across the state to enagage students on local school boards. A survey taken in 1973 reported that 43% of districts were in compliance; today, fewer than 10% report such activity.

However, student participation on boards of education is a small part of a much larger movement towards meaningful student involvement throughout education. Since the 1960s this effort has waxed and waned, according to the will of school officials and the sincere interest of students involved. Today that tide is turning, and students across the US are calling for deepened engagement in the decision-making that affects them on all levels - in the classroom, in the auditorium, and in the boardroom.

For information on how this shift is happening, read The Guide to Students on School Boards. Its packed with dozens of resources promoting student involvement, representation, and outcomes from students participating in school boards of education.

You can also read The Webb Report, a massive state-by-state analysis of student participation in state-level decision-making.

Finally you are invited to view www.SoundOut.org, a website promoting meaningful student involvement in school change. The site is packed with examples and resources promoting student empowerment, student voice, and meaningful learning in schools around the world.

This is the future of education.

« return.



by Adam Fletcher
Published on: May 4, 2003
Topic:
Type:
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=1283


The irony is that while hundreds of districts across the United States and dozens in Canada have policies that promote student involvement in decision-making, they often go underused and under-reported. For instance, there is a law in California that explicitly states the obligation of school districts across the state to enagage students on local school boards. A survey taken in 1973 reported that 43% of districts were in compliance; today, fewer than 10% report such activity. However, student participation on boards of education is a small part of a much larger movement towards meaningful student involvement throughout education. Since the 1960s this effort has waxed and waned, according to the will of school officials and the sincere interest of students involved. Today that tide is turning, and students across the US are calling for deepened engagement in the decision-making that affects them on all levels - in the classroom, in the auditorium, and in the boardroom. For information on how this shift is happening, read The Guide to Students on School Boards. Its packed with dozens of resources promoting student involvement, representation, and outcomes from students participating in school boards of education. You can also read The Webb Report, a massive state-by-state analysis of student participation in state-level decision-making. Finally you are invited to view www.SoundOut.org, a website promoting meaningful student involvement in school change. The site is packed with examples and resources promoting student empowerment, student voice, and meaningful learning in schools around the world. This is the future of education. « return.