Using Students’ Voices To Inform And Evaluate Secondary School Reform

Abstract

Secondary school reform can be analyzed and informed through the use of student voice. Student inquiry can be a use-inspired tool to inform and to prompt change in secondary schools. Focus group data from 160 students in one large urban district to evaluate high school reform effectiveness and prompt reflection and change at the district and school levels Two issues –personalization and rigor were identified by the district. Student talk can be a useful tool to re-shape district reform, especially when the reform is contentious equity minded, and perhaps slowly or shallowly implemented