1. TMCC, November 15, 2014 STUDENTS BEHIND THE WHEEL: STRATEGIES FOR USING STUDENT VOICE TO DRIVE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

2. Guiding Questions 1. What is student voice? 2. What student voice activities in my school can contribute to school improvement?

3. Student Voice Definition What is student voice? Listening to student voice is the practice of educators intentionally, purposefully, and systematically eliciting student viewpoints on a specific topic for improvement purposes.

5. Five Elements of Student Voice 1. relevant to students 2. students engaged in ongoing and meaningful discourse with adults 3. students involved in planning and decision-making 4. shared power and ownership between students and adults as decision-makers 5. students involved in action that addresses school challenges

6. Pyramid of Student Voice (typologies) Mitra, 2006

7. Pyramid of Student Voice (typologies) Focus Groups Interviews Shadowing Surveys Discussion Groups

8. Pyramid of Student Voice (typologies) Analyzing Data with Students Students Serving on School Committees Students as Co- Researchers

9. Pyramid of Student Voice (typologies) Student-Run Focus Groups Diverse Student Leadership Teams Student Advocacy Campaigns

10. Inventory of Strategies by Typologies 1.Working alone, list strategies that are occurring at your school within each level of the pyramid. 2.Find partner and share. 3.Come together as whole group and discuss.

11. In Summary… 1. Students are important stakeholders who can contribute to The Great Conversation. 2. There are five key elements to student voice. 3. A school’s culture and practices can be cultivated to include students as school improvement partners by progressing through levels of student voice.

12. 21 st Century Learning Competencies Place star next to 21 st Century Competencies STUDENTS will need and learn through a student voice project.

13. Deep Dive: ASK Tool Analyzing Surveys with Kids (ASK) involves students in analyzing and interpreting survey results associated with a school-related topic or problem and then producing suggestions for school improvement.

14. Deep Dive: ASK Tool 1.Identify a question of interest in the school. Student Engagement Why does student engagement decline in middle and high school? 2.Analyze and Interpret Data 3.Generate solutions 4.Take action

15. Download more strategies from the toolkit to pursue your own Student Voice Projects! View the toolkit at: http://1.usa.gov/ZovsvK

16. Student Voice Resources 1. www.soundout.org 2. http://www.whatkidscando.org 3. http://listenup.org/projects/education/act ionguide.php 4. http://www.studentsatthecenter.org/topics /motivation-engagement-and-student- voice Many more resources on web… simply type in “student voice” and enjoy!

17. Thank you! Laura Davidson Program Evaluator (775)348-3850 ldavidson@washoeschools.net Jennifer Harris Program Evaluator (775)333-3766 jharris@washoeschools.net Washoe County School District Department of Accountability 425 East Ninth Street Reno, NV 89520