Centering Student Voice
Why This Matters
In YPAR, student voice isn’t just heard—it drives the inquiry, the decisions, and the change. But centering student voices in real classrooms and school structures can be complex. This section is designed to help you anticipate these complexities, enabling you to plan supports that honor youth leadership and support their growth.
Reflection Prompts
From the teacher perspective: What might make it difficult to center student voices in your classroom or school structure? (For example: time constraints, standardized curriculum, admin pressure, fear of losing control, discomfort with conflict, etc.)
From the student perspective: What might make it difficult for students to express and develop their voices in this process? (For example: lack of confidence, inexperience with decision-making, school norms that silence youth, fear of being wrong, trauma or marginalization, etc.)
What scaffolds or supports might help address these challenges—for you and for your students?