Student Voice in Relation to Student Perceptions of School Climate
Duffy, E., (Worcester State University), Moreno, D., (Worcester State University),
Wallace, R., (Worcester State University), & Camacho, K. A. (Worcester State University)
Duffy, E., (Worcester State University), Moreno, D., (Worcester State University),
Wallace, R., (Worcester State University), & Camacho, K. A. (Worcester State University)
Really interesting work. You recommended that schools looking to build more positive climates should increase opportunities for student voice. How crucial do you think it is that schools increasing those opportunities also act on what students are saying? In other words, is being able to speak up enough, or does speaking up have to have an impact on something?
Thank you Dr. Hansen-Brown. I believe that it will be important for students sharing their perspective see themselves as collaborators with adults in the building making change. Research has shown that it is important to incorporate student voice will lead to higher student engagement. However, I believe that students would be discouraged after time if they continued to share and not see any impact. Further investigation to see the correlation between speaking up and seeing visible impact or change would be interesting.
Hi Dr. Hansen-Brown,
Thank you for your response. Although our research study did not narrow in on this idea, I think, as Emma mentioned, it would be interesting to collect data on this. From being in a high school this year, I can see how important this part could be to enhancing school climate. Although students may have a voice and an opportunity to identify ideas that would improve their educational experience, the novelty may wear off if administration is denying ideas brought forward by students.