Student Voice and Agency in Primary and Secondary Education

Abstract

This research project seeks to understand more about student voice and agency within education systems, and its impact on student learning. Three themes emerged in the research project [1] Power dynamics between adults and students in schools; [2] Student voice and agency among marginalized students; [3] Practices of student voice and agency. Recommendations of this project include cultural shifts in education to include student voice and agency in schools. Districts and schools can begin to include student voice through practices like student leadership opportunities, student voice surveys, outreach to marginalized student voices, and careful scaffolding to begin shifting power to be shared in schools between staff and students. With these changes students are more likely to see benefits such as increased well-being, increased academic performance, and higher rates of engagement at schools.