Who Counts as an Educational Leader: The Limitless Potential of Student Voice

• In Event: Developing Leaders' Capacity and Consciousness for Social Justice

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the value of educational leaders including students in shaping the policies and practices that impact children and youths’ schooling experiences. First, we share the literature on student voice, leadership for social justice, and critical youth educational leadership to build a conceptual model advocating ways leaders can engage young people in school governance. Second, we share an empirical example from our own research that holds promise to build caring, equitable, and responsive classrooms and schools by centering students’ voices. Finally, we consider what our findings mean for the field of educational leadership.

Authors

• Van T Lac, The University of Texas - San Antonio

• Katherine Cumings Mansfield, Virginia Commonwealth University