Youth aren’t props — they need an actual seat at the policy table
School discipline ranks high among concerns
Just one-third of students rate their school culture positively, according to data released this week by the San Francisco-based nonprofit YouthTruth Student.
The stat wouldn’t make for a good consumer report, but it’s amazing what we can learn when we consider youths’ perspectives.
“Students are the experts on their own experience,” said Sonya Heisters of YouthTruth, adding, “It’s important that education decision makers, from principals to superintendents, and from education funders to the education secretary, listen to this feedback.”
A positive school climate has been shown to boost academic achievement. So why aren’t there more of these studies?
Unfortunately, school leaders would rather not make any data available than share how students feel they’re treated.
Join the conversation later on Andre Perry’s radio show, “Free College,” hosted Tuesdays on WBOK1230 in New Orleans at 3pm Central/4pm Eastern 504.260.9265.
Policies dedicated for youth without their input on the front end miss a core perspective and the supposed purpose for the policy change.
Here’s a common practice: Organizers and policymakers meet for weeks planning an event or piece of legislation that is dedicated to improving the lives of youth and students. In the final hour before the policy or project’s release, someone realizes they need youth Youth aren’t props — they need an actual seat at the policy table - The Hechinger Report:
