Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
7-17-2023
Year of Publication
2023
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Education
Department/School/Program
Education Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Lars Bjork
Second Advisor
Dr. Wayne Lewis
Abstract
Student voice is a key component of educational leadership, yet school leaders remain confounded about how to succinctly define student voice, how to offer opportunities for students that position them as decision-makers in their schools, and how to integrate student voice into their daily practice, much less transform school cultures into vibrant, student-centered communities of learning. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of how high school principals define student voice, the opportunities they provide for student voice in their schools, and the strategies they implement to foster cultures of student voice.
The study uses a sequential explanatory mixed methods design to collect information from Kentucky high school head principals about their definitions of student voice, the opportunities they provide for student voice in their schools, and the strategies they use to foster a culture that values student voice. Phase One of the study included two surveys, one to gather information about principals’ perceptions of student voice and one for principals who volunteered to participate in an interview. Maximum variation sampling was used to select participants for Phase Two of the study, semi-structured interviews.
Results from the study show a disconnect between how principals define student voice and the opportunities they provide for student voice in their schools. Furthermore, the results also suggest that the facilitation of student voice centers on listening and developing relationships instead of positioning students as decision-makers alongside adults. More research is needed to understand how principals foster student voice.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2023.284
Recommended Citation
DeMott, Anne Stewart, "HOW PRINCIPALS FOSTER A CULTURE OF STUDENT VOICE" (2023). Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences. 129.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edsc_etds/129
