Students Are Stakeholders, Too!

Including Every Voice in Authentic High School Reform

"Gives hope to those trying to implement a student-focused culture and offers practical advice on what steps to take."
—Donald Poplau, Principal, Mankato East High School, MN

"Profound, yet simple and easy to implement. A timely book with great implications for schools trying to meet NCLB."
—Gina Marx, Assistant Superintendent, Augusta Public Schools, KS

Including students in schoolwide decisions helps them shape their future!

Based on real events that have yielded positive results for both school culture and student achievement, this inspiring story introduces the students and staff of Knownwell High School and involves you in their journey of school improvement.

Students Are Stakeholders Too! captures students' uncanny insights in their own words and illustrates how a responsive principal involves all student segments, creates an audience for their ideas and suggestions, and engages their authentic participation with staff in decision making. Using only existing resources, educators can practice real democracy within their school community by inviting students to discuss their interests, needs, and preferences about school matters.

This resource outlines eight levels of student participation, provides questions for reflection, and introduces "Content for Consideration" sections drawn from research on high school reform, challenging the beliefs and practices of individual readers and collaborative groups of educators.

Edie L. Holcomb provides school leaders with practical strategies for promoting greater interaction between adults and students through every phase of the school improvement process.