Asking students their opinions about decisions that affect them in their school community is a great place to start listening to learners. However, taking it a step further puts students at the decision-making table. Inviting students to participate in school or district-wide decisions by being on the board, a part of a student government or on an ongoing advisory council gives them a direct way to influence decisions that affect them and their peers. A step even further asks learners to lead these organizations and facilitate meetings. 

You can learn more about listening to learners and involving them in decision-making in our course, Amplify Learner Voice.

Source: https://www.aacps.org/smob

Anne Arundel County in Maryland has a student member of the board who has full voting power like their adult counterparts. Students are elected by the regional association of student councils and appointed by the governor.

Student advisory councils participate in student voice retreats at Washoe County School District.

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Nova High School is “democratically governed by committees made up of students, teachers, parents, guardians, alumni, principal, and staff. School matters are addressed by the entire community. All have a voice and a vote on issues including managing the budget, changing class schedules and activities, staff hiring, and changing the governing system itself. Students can also participate in or create Committees for credit and fun.”

Students at Ewa Makai middle school met with students across the island of Oahu to discuss being leaders in their school and then wrote a letter to suggest additional school-wide activities and a buddy system for new students.