Students Want a Voice

Young people want to speak out.
The ultimate goal of inspiring student voice is to engage and empower students, individually and collectively, so that they can act on their empowerment and that their learning experiences are meaningful to them. The student voice in the classroom and their opinions prepare them to exercise their voice effectively as they enter adulthood and also have an opinion on how they learn best.

​Their values, opinions, beliefs, and perspectives on learning experiences, teaching approaches, and promoting their interests, passions, and ambitions are crucial to their personal development. They require an environment where they can be listened to and their preferences, interests, and perspectives valued. This can ignite their passions and will increase their persistence. Personal leadership.

ISS has conducted research on whether schools value student voice within their own communities and its impact Download the report Listening to international student voices.

Undoubtedly, international schools are recognized for the globally-minded thinking they develop in their students.

The ISS research identified a genuine concern about student voice relating to mental health. Only 42% of students believe their international school addresses mental health issues well.

Other issues that were raised were gender equality, racial bias, and environmental issues, as well as global issues.

Students want a voice.
Only 40% of international school students feel they can speak out and their opinions valued in their school, 59% of the students feel uncomfortable sharing their opinions within their school, whereas the teachers and leaders welcome student voices.

The main areas where student voices are welcome are events, well-being, the environment, and service (50% of schools.)

Regarding learning, curriculum, leadership, policy, or recruitment, student opinion is sought by fewer than 50% of international schools.

Student feedback
The students recognize that not all student feedback can and will be developed into any action; they just want their voices to be authentically heard.

Authentic student voice and agency
Authentic student voice provides opportunities for students to collaborate and make decisions with adults on matters related to their learning, their passions, and their dreams and also to understand how their learning is assessed. 

This is different from student agency which refers to the level of autonomy they develop in the learning environment.

Student voice, agency, and leadership are central to improving student outcomes and supporting student safety and well-being by empowerment.

Benefits of elevating student's voice
Students have a unique perspective on how high-level decisions impact the day-to-day life of the school. They have an opinion.

By listening to students, schools can make informed decisions about the changes that will best support all learners. For example, their opinions on learning from their perspectives will inform teaching styles and learning activities, enabling them to progress better in an engaging learning environment.

Student leadership
Just as important, when students have engaged authentically as leaders, problem-solvers, and decision-makers, these experiences give them an understanding and ownership of how learning is implemented in their school, with students experiencing a sense of agency.

They also develop the ability to make decisions, take actions that impact their trajectory, and learn that they can influence the wider world.

When students have a sense of agency, they believe their active participation matters.

A sense of identity
Schools can foster a sense of identity, agency, community, and belonging by providing a variety of thought leadership opportunities for all students—not just those who regularly volunteer to lead so that they can contribute both in and outside the classroom.

This includes actively engaging students who don't typically take on leadership roles by recognizing that all students' knowledge, life experience, and culture are assets to the school community and providing them opportunities to celebrate their experiences, skills, and talents.

Power dynamics
Considering the power dynamics between adults and students at the school is essential.

While it may not be realistic for young people to engage and initiate all action, teachers, and leaders can be intentional and purposeful about elevating student voice and engagement to improve learning and their destiny.

Benefits of student's voice
● It improves self-awareness as students define their values and perspectives, gains awareness of personal strengths, and gain a sense of self-efficacy.
● It empowers self-management, as students practice self-motivation and organizational skills when working towards a goal they've set.
● It sensitizes them to become more socially aware, as students recognize the perspectives of others when many different voices are elevated.
● It improves relationship skills as students practice communicating and engaging others in shared ideas and goals.
● It helps them make responsible decision-making as students identify and solve problems in their classroom, school, and community.

In the ISS report, 54% of students in the research said they believe they have seen an improvement in the elevation of students' voices in their school during the past two years.

However, some students spoke out throughout the survey about what they see as limited, patronizing, or tokenistic changes.

The ISS Survey and How it can help
This is such an interesting report. I found out that it can assist you in evaluating your approach to student voice and in informally benchmarking where your school currently sits on a student voice continuum - also sharing case studies of international schools implementing initiatives to value student voice in ways that are developing learner agency.
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By Dr. Tassos Anastasiades