Definition of Student Voice

Student voice is the individual and collective perspectives and actions of young people within the context of learning and education. This can include, but isn't limited to, active or passive participation, knowledge, voting, wisdom, activism, beliefs, service, opinions, leadership, and ideas. - (2006). SoundOut Student Voice Tip Sheet. Online.

More Definitions of Student Voice

"[Student voice is] the active opportunity for students to express their opinions and make decisions regarding the planning, implementation, and evaluation of their learning experiences." Rogers, A. (2005). Student voice: Bridges to learning. Seattle: University of Washington. Online.

"Student voice is giving students the ability to influence learning to include policies, programs, contexts and principles." Harper, D. (2000). Students as Change Agents: The Generation Y Model. Olympia, WA: Generation Y.

"Student voice is formed of the unique perspective of the young people in our schools. It is formed in the same ways that adult voice is; that is, experience and education help students create opinions, ideas, and beliefs to which they give their voice." - Fletcher, A. (n.d.) Broadening the bounds of involvement: Transforming schools with student voice. New Horizons for Learning. Online.

"The concept of voice spans literal, metaphorical, and political terrains: in its literal sense, voice represents the speech and perspectives of the speaker; metaphorically, voice spans inflection, tone, accent, style, and the qualities and feelings conveyed by the speaker's words; and politically, a commitment to voice attests to the right of speaking and being represented." - Britzman, D. (1989). 'Who has the floor? Curriculum teaching and the English student teacher's struggle for voice', in Curriculum Inquiry, 19(2), 143-162

Student Voice Tip Sheet | Quotes about student voice