Submitted by Gregg Sinner (not verified) on October 31, 2007 - 14:33.
During the past five years, my associates and I have conducted hundreds of Federally-funded Small Learning Community Technical Assistance Site Visits at large urban high schools around the country. I find it ironic that in only a few instances have I personally found student voice to be of much interest to most of the adults – as a possible source of information and support for school or even classroom culture transformation.
Conversely, we have all found considerable interest in the "restructuring" the schools. However, adults that populate smaller schools or learning units who comport themselves essentially the same way they have in the large schools will likely see little change in results – unless they learn listen to the voice of their students. The essential lesson seems to be that a) in order to change our world, we must change ourselves; and b) feedback can be the breakfast of champions - if we are willing to listen and act on what we hear.
Student Voice
Submitted by Gregg Sinner (not verified) on October 31, 2007 - 14:33.
During the past five years, my associates and I have conducted hundreds of Federally-funded Small Learning Community Technical Assistance Site Visits at large urban high schools around the country. I find it ironic that in only a few instances have I personally found student voice to be of much interest to most of the adults – as a possible source of information and support for school or even classroom culture transformation.
Conversely, we have all found considerable interest in the "restructuring" the schools. However, adults that populate smaller schools or learning units who comport themselves essentially the same way they have in the large schools will likely see little change in results – unless they learn listen to the voice of their students. The essential lesson seems to be that a) in order to change our world, we must change ourselves; and b) feedback can be the breakfast of champions - if we are willing to listen and act on what we hear.