The Student Voice Research Framework and School Improvement

• In Event: From Barriers to Innovation: Computational Thinking, Deep Learning, and Student Voice Within Innovative Contexts

Abstract

For decades, leadership scholars have advocated for student voice research to become an integral part of school improvement practices. However, uptake has been slow. Current trends in market-based school improvement approaches push aside student voice research, as they focus instead on test-based student learning outcomes and student evaluations by adults on their observable behavior (time to graduation, suspension rates, etc.). However, Student Voice Research methods have continuously shown efficacy in improving schools. In this paper, we discuss a Student Voice Research Framework that was designed to support educational leaders to productively collaborate with students to improve schools, in response to this marginalization. We critically analyze the possibilities and limitations of this theory and discuss its feasibility for school improvement.

Authors

• Joseph Levitan, McGill University

• Marc Brasof, Arcadia University