“BECAUSE IT’S YOUR EDUCATION, NOT MINE”
student input on curriculum decisions and school policy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15687/rec.v19i2.78943Keywords:
student voice, democratic classroom, democratic schoolsAbstract
The student voice (student participation) holds a prominent place in the tradition of progressive and democratic schools and classrooms around the world. Once fostered, it offers an opportunity to develop and apply skills crucial to democratic life and to create meaningful learning contexts, as students bring their personal concerns, cultural experiences, resources, and prior skills to curriculum planning and school policies. At the same time, the involvement of student voice raises questions about the curriculum, the roles of teachers and students, student expectations, and school policies, as well as the need for pedagogical scaffolding and support for teachers and students. This article outlines the rationale for student voice and provides a framework for considering options for teacher and student voice in curriculum planning. It also includes a number of examples of student voice in curriculum planning, school policies, classroom organization, and school culture, drawn from the author’s extensive career in promoting student voice.
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