Justine Bruyère, a lecturer in the Reading Education and Elementary Education programs at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University, writes for Edutopia that during her time as an elementary teacher, her 2nd-grade students were excited when given the opportunity to identify and assign classroom responsibilities they felt were important.

Students selected the roles they felt had the most need and then applied for the positions they wanted, and Bruyère writes that she had to adjust the chart periodically, as students occasionally wanted to take on a new role or needs changed in the classroom.

Bruyère found that, while each task was never done perfectly every week, giving students a role in how their classroom was run taught them they have a voice that matters.

Administrators and educational leaders are paying closer attention to student voice. In at least 20 states and territories, students have a seat on their state board of education. In turn, being involved at that level shows them how they can impact the education of other students, as well.

Even at the school and school district level, educators are looking to give students more say in their educational pathways.

Teaching students facts and information for their educational gain still has value, but so too does supporting their personal growth and sense of self.

Read the full article about giving students a voice in education by Lauren Barack at Education Dive.