Castaldo, Maria Cristina

Student Voice: Students as partners in education

Keywords: Student Engagement, Adolescent Learners, “At-risk” Youth

Abstract

The youth of today face a number of challenges that can hinder the development of their education. Students struggle to engage in their learning, and often fail to connect to the relevancy of school. The concept of student voice has recently emerged as a strategy to help engage struggling and reluctant adolescent learners. Student voice requires teachers and students to enter into a collaborative learning process where individuals are given the opportunity to assume an active role in their education. This research study explores the impact of accessing and facilitating student voice in the secondary school context. Using the insight and experiences of three exemplary secondary teachers in an inner city school, this study explores the relationship between student voice and student engagement. Some of the questions that are explored reflect the importance of teachers being reflective and life long learners whose instructional practices meet the individuality of all students. Analysis of both the relevant literature and collected data from the participants suggest that facilitating student voice can help to engage reluctant learners, create a feeling of community and belonging, and instill a sense of ownership over a student’s education.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Ms Judy Blaney, and the staff of the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre for their support and enthusiasm for education and youth development. I would also like to thank my research participants for taking the time to speak with me, and for their amazing devotion to their students. In addition, I would like to thank my family for their patience, love, and their ability to challenge me. Lastly, I would like to thank my fiancé, Ian, whose passion for teaching continuously motivates and inspires me throughout this journey.