View in EDS

Community Schools and Youth Councils: A Report on Effective Strategies and Practices Necessary in Integrating Youth Voices

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Community Schools and Youth Councils: A Report on Effective Strategies and Practices Necessary in Integrating Youth Voices
Language: English
Authors: Silas Alvarez, Peyton Delyser, Julie Farraj, Arthur Innes, Jordan Perea, Jaspreet Sahota, Ava Swanson, Sabrina Sheikh, Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), Coalition for Community Schools
Source: Institute for Educational Leadership. 2025.
Availability: Institute for Educational Leadership. 4455 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 310, Washington, DC 20008. Tel: 202-822-8405; Fax: 202-872-4050; e-mail: iel@iel.org; Web site: http://www.iel.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 40
Publication Date: 2025
Intended Audience: Teachers; Administrators
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Community Schools, Student Leadership, Student Government, Participative Decision Making, Partnerships in Education, Best Practices, Barriers, Student Participation
Abstract: Youth councils bring together students to drive meaningful change in schools by strengthening school policies and practices that serve all students. By fostering authentic student leadership, these councils empower young people to shape policies that directly impact their learning environments. Given that students experience shifts in the education system every day, their representation is crucial in creating lasting improvements for future generations. This project report highlights the vital role youth councils play in Community Schools and serves as a guide for educators and administrators to strengthen student councils within Community Schools. The project aimed to examine how youth councils and advisories operate, their influence on policy change, and areas for improvement. Over six months, the authors engaged youth through focus groups and surveys to analyze their experiences, perspectives, and the effectiveness of youth councils within Community Schools. The findings highlight the successes and gaps in amplifying youth voice and decision-making within youth councils. [Funding provided by Funders for Adolescent Science Translation (FAST).]
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED674771
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Youth councils bring together students to drive meaningful change in schools by strengthening school policies and practices that serve all students. By fostering authentic student leadership, these councils empower young people to shape policies that directly impact their learning environments. Given that students experience shifts in the education system every day, their representation is crucial in creating lasting improvements for future generations. This project report highlights the vital role youth councils play in Community Schools and serves as a guide for educators and administrators to strengthen student councils within Community Schools. The project aimed to examine how youth councils and advisories operate, their influence on policy change, and areas for improvement. Over six months, the authors engaged youth through focus groups and surveys to analyze their experiences, perspectives, and the effectiveness of youth councils within Community Schools. The findings highlight the successes and gaps in amplifying youth voice and decision-making within youth councils. [Funding provided by Funders for Adolescent Science Translation (FAST).]