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Posted by:
Mark Grashow
K-12 Classroom teacher
Brooklyn, NY
Topic:
knowing our students
Message:
One of my strongest concerns regarding public education is that many students pass through the educational system relatively unknown. Teachers and guidance counselors often know very little about their students beyond their academic ability. In many schools the ratio of the number of students to their assigned guidance counselor exceeds 300 to 1. Unless a student displays overt problems to his or her teacher or guidance counselor, the problem often goes unresolved. Student voice allows problems, both academic and non-academic, to be brought to the forefront. Perhaps if the students of Columbine High School had openly addressed the social dynamics of the school, changes could have been made that would have prevented the tragedy that ensued. In an age where the national focus is on uniform testing and standardized instruction, it is important to remember that people don't fit in one-sized boxes. Student voice must be a constant reminder that we teach children who have different needs and abilities. Without student voice, whom are we talking to?
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