The Intersection of Student Voice and Educational Leadership: Opportunities and Obstacles

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Scholars argue that incorporating student voice into educational decision making can provide leaders with expertise on the student experience, thereby improving educational conditions. In particular, the voices of students who are marginalized can offer special insights on systemic inequalities in education. Despite the potential benefits of including student voice in decision making, the intersection of educational leadership and student voice remains under-researched. This session is significant in that it provides insight to an understudied area that could point to approaches to improve education, especially for marginalized students. Presenting empirical research, the session examines efforts to incorporate student voice into educational decision making and the obstacles blocking this goal.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Leadership for Social Justice

Chair

• John S. Rogers, University of California - Los Angeles

Papers

• Change From Within: Critical Literacy as a Tool for Civic Empowerment - D'Artagnan Scorza, University of California - Los Angeles

• How Positioning Shapes Student Engagement in Action Civics - Adam J. York, University of Colorado - Boulder; Ben R. Kirshner, University of Colorado

• Changing the Political Equation: Urban and Suburban Students’ Advocacy for School Funding Equity - Cynthia Taines, Northern Illinois University

• Influence of Deficit Ideology on Possibilities for Reciprocal Dialogue Between Students of Color and Educational Leaders - Melanie Bertrand, Arizona State University

• Pawns or Power Players? The Grounds on Which Adults Dismiss or Defend Youth Organizers - Jerusha Osberg Conner, Villanova University

Discussant

• Ernest D. Morrell, Teachers College, Columbia University