Student Voice Committees
Student Voice Committees are designed to promote strong, sustained student-adult partnerships that work together to address school-based issues and promote shared decision-making.
SVC Purpose
Student Voice Committees (SVCs) are school-based student leadership teams designed to forge student-adult partnerships in school improvement.
SVCs seek to partner directly with administration on persistent problems the school is actively seeking to address. As a key partner in school improvement, SVC’s should be a part of school quality assessment, school visioning and planning, and the decision making process.
The SVC works to elevate youth perspective and expertise in understanding the problems schools face, to strengthen the decisions schools and teachers make, and to encourage the development of youth leadership skills.
School Reopening SVC Toolkit
As we transition back to our school buildings this fall, we have an opportunity to ask ourselves and reimagine: What is the community to which we want to return? How will we know our community is strong and meeting the needs of its members? Utilize this toolkit to amplify student voice and engage in student-adult partnerships at your school.
The Four SVC Steps
Step 1
Establish the Foundation
Build the foundation for their work, establishing norms, creating a mission statement, exploring identity and oppression, developing communication skills, and being introduced to the process of action planning.
Step 2
Analyze the School Community
Build a school profile, map the assets and challenges in their school, conduct observations and polls, analyze their data, choose an issue, and begin developing a detailed action plan.
Step 3
Conduct Research & Organize for Action
Consider the difference between charity (service) and change (advocacy/activism), identifying the root causes of their issue, researching and evaluating, , analyzing who in the school community can help them, updating their action plan, and meeting with the principal.
Step 4
Implement Action Plans & Reflect
Work on how best to communicate their ideas, work with decision makers to put their ideas into action, reflect on their work, and look forward to consider how they can continue advancing student voice in the school community.
Student Voice 101
Student Panel
The Student Voice 101 PD is available for new SVC facilitators to learn more about starting an SVC at their school.
SVC student leaders were invited to share their student voice and expertise on the impact being a part of their school's SVC has had on them.