Authentically Integrating Student Voice Into Your Classroom

Introductions Joe Harris, KDE and Lawrence County High Joseph.harris@education.ky.gov @joeharris2013 teachermanjoe.blogspot.com Student voice is an area of untapped potential for many teachers. Educators who utilize student voice experience deeper levels of engagement with students who take ownership of their own learning. As a Hybrid Teacher Leader for the Kentucky Department of Education, I am working with other teachers to create a toolkit for authentically integrating student voice into the classroom. Empowering teachers with the tools necessary for leveraging student voice is the next step in moving our education system forward, and I invite you to be part of this work.

Turn and Talk How comfortable are you with using student voice tools in the classroom? What are the benefits of using student voice tools in the classroom? What are ways you already use student voice in your classroom? How do you use the PGES Student Voice results in your practice?

Where Are We Going? This session will explore the importance of student voice and how teachers can authentically integrate student voice and tools into the classroom.

Are We Listening to Students? ASCD Article As you read, keep these questions in mind: 1. What is a “free school?” 2. How can schools encourage student voice?

Student Voice in the Classroom https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/improve-teaching-with-student-feedback Identify 2takeaways from this video. Be ready to discuss.

Mr. Ronevich Question #1 Question #2 How did Mr. Ronevich use the results to improve his teaching? How did the principal use the results to help Mr. Ronevich improve? Question 1 *teacher open to getting better, recognizing room for improvement *reflective when looking at results *intentionality in daily interaction with students to avoid yelling Question 2 *focusing on positive results- asking probing questions about why things are going well *strategic questioning to provoke analysis of results Conversation centered around the questions- Mr. Ronevich knew the questions and so should your teachers.

Moving Beyond TPGES Student Voice Requirements

TPGES Observation Teacher Professional Growth and Effectiveness System Peer Observation formative Professional Growth Self-Reflection Student Voice Student Growth

Requirements-Student Voice The Student Voice Survey is a confidential, on-line survey collecting student feedback on specific aspects of the classroom experience and teaching practice. Required All teachers will participate in the state-approved Student Voice Survey annually with a minimum of one identified group of students. Student selection for participation must be consistent across the district. Results will be used as a source of evidence for Professional Practice. Formative years’ data will be used to inform Professional Practice in the summative year. All teachers and appropriate administrative staff will read, understand, and sign the district’s Student Voice Ethics Statement. The Student Voice Survey will be administered between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM local time. The survey will be administered in the school. Survey data will be considered only when ten or more students are respondents.

Teacher Student Perception Results Teachers can see an individual report of all students who took survey- no names. How could this information be helpful for a teacher? How would it be useful in Professional Growth Planning? How might the results impact future instruction?

Examine Harris’ Paper/Pencil version of the TPGES Survey (Student Sample) What changes do you notice? How could you adapt this survey to fit your classroom needs? When could you administer the paper/pencil version? Review the results with your students. Ask for suggestions on improvement.

Student Voice and Choice Toolkit Share “One Pager” Midterm Survey Reflection Tickets

Integrating Student Voice from Day One

Expectations & Mission Statement & Goal What do your students want the mission of the class to be? After analyzing the pre-assessment data with students, work with students to create class and individual goals. Post the mission statement and goals.

My Class Mission Statement Every student will leave this class with stronger critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.

Creating Norms With Students After creating Mission and Goal Statements, work with students to determine the classroom norms. What procedures will need to be established and agreed upon for the year to accomplish these goals? What does each student expect from the teacher, peers, and his or her self? Discuss and create the classroom norms/procedures together.

Quick Tool for Voice -daily, weekly, or by unit. -Students tell you what IS working and what ISN’T working. You make adjustments as necessary.

Build a Class Strategy Bank & use PDSA Plan- What is our Learning Target? Do- Allow students to choose the strategies you will apply to master this target. Study- Use plus/delta & data from assessments to determine whether or not the strategies and instruction were successful. Act- What are the next steps for teacher? For students?

Plan- What is our Learning Target? Do- Choose the strategies you will apply to master this target. Study- Use plus/delta & data from assessments to determine whether or not the strategies and instruction were successful. Act- What are the next steps for teacher? For students? (Offer choice here)

Student Choice Two writing prompts Literature Circles Tic Tac Toe Boards

Learning Styles Inventories http://www.personal.psu.edu/bxb11/LSI/LSI.htm http://www.odessa.edu/dept/govt/dille/brian/courses/1100Orientation/LearningStyleInventory_survey.pdf Gear lessons toward learning styles of students.

Excellent Resource for Student Choice Adolescent Literacy in Perspective: Student Choice and Engagement http://www.ohiorc.org/orc_documents/ORC/Adlit/InPerspective/2010-03/in_perspective_2010-03.pdf Pre-made tools/materials

Wrap Up Questions Other Ideas? Presentation Feedback https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1P0M3XYutYFejEfMprq2yznZHxWY7d9PoRnqfSkPohjM/viewform?c=0&w=1

Sources/ Student Voice Resources Measures of Effective Teaching Project, http://www.metproject.org/ American Institute for Research, http://www.gtlcenter.org/sites/default/files/docs/GTL_AskTeam_LeveragingTeacherTalent.pdf Kentucky Department of Education PGES Resources for Peer Observation, http://education.ky.gov/teachers/PGES/Pages/Peer-Observation.aspx Kentucky Department of Education PGES Resources for Student Voice, http://education.ky.gov/teachers/PGES/Pages/Student-Voice-Survey-Page.aspx http://www.jimshipley.net/resources.htm http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/10/what-happens-when-students-control-their-own-education/381828/ http://www.stuvoice.org/box/