STUDENT VOICE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS onviolent Schools ensure meaningful student engagement in decision making and school operations. They clearly demonstrate that student feedback is valued and acted upon. Nonviolent Schools seek youth input on topics like school budgets, curriculum, and violence prevention. The School District has made strides in increasing student engagement through avenues like Citywide Student Government, however there is still more to be done. • • • • • • •
Ensure diverse student representation on the school safety team from students varied in ethnic background, academic performance, and disciplinary history. Create and maintain mechanisms at schools to get student input on policies and plans including advisory listening sessions, school-wide surveys, student focus groups, and other means. Create policy that calls for student participation in the hiring of principals and teachers. Allow students to provide feedback to the teachers and administrators at their school in a formalized way. Ensure that students participate on site selection and principal hiring committees. Ensure that there is an effective and transparent complaint process that students can follow if they feel that their school has violated their rights or not adequately addressed their safety concerns. Implement an annual process for students to evaluate school police and their impact on school climate.
•
College Ready Education Plan: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/learning/Pages/2010-reliable-measures-effective-teaching.aspx
All Photos: © Tim Moyer