Full Description
Meaningful school reform starts with your most powerful partner—your students!
Students have plenty of opinions when it comes to school, and they're not all about free ice cream in the cafeteria. When you take time to listen, you'll find that students' aspirations can drive your school toward exciting new goals. And when students know they're being heard, they develop self-worth, engage meaningfully in their own academic success, and become purposeful in their educations.
This groundbreaking book presents a blueprint for enacting a successful partnership between educators and students. You'll discover how to
Ask the right questions—and understand how to build from the answers you get
Engage students in decision-making and improvement-related processes
Implement the Aspirations Framework to guide students toward achieving their full potential
Filled with examples drawn from student surveys, focus groups, field observations, and interviews, this unique resource prepares you to lead with the sure knowledge that your students can and will want to join you.
"This book speaks to a movement that many people talk about but few act upon, Student Voice. Quaglia and Corso have lived their professional careers listening to students and acting on what they have heard. Now they share what it takes for education to truly become student-centered."
—Raymond J. McNulty, Dean of the School of Education
Southern New Hampshire University
"Words cannot accurately capture my impression. It is simply the best education book I've ever read. I'm blown away by the quality, humility, simplicity and complexity, and call to action."
—Robert Neu, Superintendent
Oklahoma City Public Schools
Contents
Preface
Introduction: It's Time to Listen
I. Listening
1. Student Aspirations
Dreaming and Doing
The Aspirations Profile
2. The Aspirations Framework
Guiding Principles
Conditions in Schools
Learning to Listen
II. Learning
3. Reality is Not the Enemy
Listening to Learn
Ignorance of Reality is the Enemy
Listening Broadly
4. Students Speak About Self-Worth
Condition 1: Belonging
Condition 2: Heroes
Condition 3: Sense of Accomplishment
5. Students Speak About Engagement
Condition 4: Fun & Excitement
Condition 5: Curiosity & Creativity
Condition 6: Spirit of Adventure
6. Students Speak About Purpose
Condition 7: Leadership & Responsibility
Condition 8: Confidence to Take Action
III. Leading
7. Students as Co-Leaders
The Current Cacophony
8. The Context of Leadership
Aspirations and the Whole Child
Aspirations and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Aspirations as Curriculum
Aspirations in the 21st Century
9. From Student Voice to Our Choice
