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Sunday, January 8, 2012

The Need for Student Self-Advocacy

Lost amidst the cacophony of voices debating the scope and direction of education reform is the critical need for students to  learn how to advocate for themselves, both individually and as a group. This is a skill, and as such must at some level be taught. Students must learn to advocate at school, but there is no less a need for youngsters to learn how to advocate at home. Whether it is insisting on the proper choice of food in the house, asking for help with homework, securing necessary or supplementary resources, or asserting that their parents get more involved in school, kids as young as elementary school must learn how to do more to create a more favorable learning environment and greater opportunites for themselves.

Student advocacy at school is also extremely important. As a group, high school students should have greater influence over the culture of learning at school, have some say in policy through a vigorous and respected Student Council, and have their opinions solicited and legitimized through the use of focus groups. Every teacher should be expected to integrate instruction on student advocacy into their first week instructions. The Principal and guidance counselors should similarly reinforce the importance of student advocacy at assemblies and conferences.

Students are important stakeholders on the frontlines of this saga. Rather than be passive "recepticles," students must be proactive and their voice- both individually and collectively- must be heard.

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