So, what exactly is Student Voice? Holquist (2019) defines student voice as “the ways in which all students have opportunities to participate in and/or influence the education decisions that will shape their lives and the lives of their peers.” Educational institutions present numerous opportunities to incorporate student voice across multiple forms and levels of engagement and can include a variety of participants (Holquist, 2019). These opportunities can range from students participating in a survey or focus group to collaborating alongside adults in education decision-making (Holquist, 2019). Thus, any opportunity that enables students to share their voice and influence education decision-making could be considered student voice (Holquist, 2019).
According to Holquist (2019):
Researchers show that students as young as nine years old (grades 3 or 4) can begin to separate themselves from adults and provide meaningful feedback on their education. Researchers find that students who begin to engage in student voice activities may experience increases in youth agency, self-esteem, belonging, competence, democratic skills, and leadership. Research also shows that student growth in these areas may lead to improvements in student academic achievement, social and emotional learning, and overall wellbeing Finally, researchers have also discovered that student voice activities can lead to positive changes in education policies and practices that better serve student needs. p.1
Implementing and working with student voice can help accomplish several goals, both for students as well as educational leaders. Student voice promotes student engagement at every level and helps to also address equity in the classroom as well as in the wider community.
When it comes to a student’s time in school, a successful/empowered student voice will not only enhance the learning experience but drive a deeper sense of understanding between both students and their teachers.
Finally, student voice can help leaders gain a clearer understanding as to how to support and meet their students needs both academically, behaviorally, and social/emotionally.
Take a look at some of these benefits of student voice via the resources below.
And allow student VOICE to be heard!
- Empowering Student Voice– A discussion about empowering student voice. What are some teacher strategies? Asking relevant questions such as “Who is doing the thinking.” “Who is doing the work.”
https://www.ocali.org/project/Empowering-Student-Voice
- Self-Advocacy: Speak up! It’s your life!– Eight advocates voice their needs! Youth and individuals with disabilities can learn from advocates to use their voice to build the life they want.
https://www.ocali.org/project/self-advocacy-part-2
- PBIS Lessons Learned– Explore implementing PBIS at the high school level and hear how teams have overcome challenges unique to high school, including supports for students’ wellbeing, and how to incorporate student voice.
https://www.ocali.org/project/PBIS-Lessons-Learned-Part-3-Transition-Age
- We Connect Now– Developed to connect and integrate college students with disabilities as a virtual community with a voice on important issues.
https://www.ocali.org/project/we_connect_now
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NAVIGATING DISABILITY SUPPORTS IN COLLEGE
Jennifer Sullivan & Lauren Yost
Fast Forward College Coaching, November 2023
https://padlet.com/vikkimiller/ocalicon-fall-2023-resources-lyt96kni2yj0eghp/wish/2791317786
Consider Student Voices: Striving to Understand Student Experiences to Support Learning and Growth (ed.gov), REL Pacific Samantha Holquist October 23, 2019
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SST 13 Special Education Points of Contact (PoCs):
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