2016 Annual Conference

This session will focus on research that investigates the adult learning component of a student, teacher relationship in public schools. Interviews from both the student and adult perspective will be presented in this session with implications for practice.

Professors of secondary education programs or providers of professional development may be interested in learning from the perspectives of both the students and the adults in the partnership to increase the efficacy of the teaching and learning environment in schools to increase student achievement.

The Student Voice Initiative is aimed at equipping school leaders with a process to engage students as partners in every facet of their school culture and to strengthen their commitment to education and community. Student voice gives students the ability to influence learning to include policies, programs, contexts, and principals. Engaging students as educational decision-makers can lead to invested interest in their own educational outcomes and for the broader school community. Students should be afforded opportunities to actively help shape their education through conversations with teachers and school administrators. The learning process should be a concerted effort. To create a school culture that is concentrated on education, students must be involved and take ownership of their own learning. When students are invested in the process, research shows that authentic change and positive outcomes can be the result. This session will present findings from the one year study of 16 adults and 16 students who participated in the inaugural cohort.