Graduation Term

2020

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Department of Educational Administration and Foundations: Educational Administration

Committee Chair

Guy Banicki

Abstract

Student voice may seem like a new concept; however, it has a long history of being engrained in public schools in the United States. The trend towards incorporating and expanding student voice opportunities in high school is based on the tenets of democracy. Educators seek to provide an opportunity for students to practice democracy in their school environment. Students are commonly disregarded as viable stakeholders in their schools. The Illinois State Board of Education offers students in grades 4 through 12 the opportunity to provide input on their schools using the Illinois 5Essentials Survey.

This research sought the input from high school principals in Illinois on their usage of the student data from the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. The Illinois principals were asked to complete an original survey of 18 questions about the methods in which they use the student data on the Illinois 5Essentials Survey and its impact on school improvement and school climate. The principals were given multiple choice survey questions with opportunities to expand on their responses.

While many principals found value in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey, they were not likely to share the responses with their students. There is inconsistent usage of the data for the purposes of school improvement and school climate initiatives. Several principals indicated that professional development was not provided to analyze the results that they received from the Illinois State Board of Education. These reasons would indicate that student climate surveys are not always a successful measurement of student voice. Recommendations for further research and policy implications are provided.

Access Type

Dissertation-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD2020.20210309065832406205.86

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