Student Voice Resources from Chicago

Chicago Public Schools Department of Student Voice and Engagement shares resources for district schools to elevate student voice, learn from students, and build stronger student-adult partnerships.

TAGS student leadership continuous improvement youth voice

A Case for School Connectedness

Short article from Educational Leadership describing the impact of strong school connectedness on academic achievement, behavior, absenteeism, and school completion, as well as and practices that enhance it.

TAGS bullying prevention mental health journal article relationship skills research brief advisory/homeroom middle school grades high school grades culture and climate building community integrate with district priorities

Webinar: Looking at the Intersection of Student Agency and School Discipline Practices

An in-depth discussion of the connections between student agency and school discipline from the Center for the Collaborative Classroom and Transforming Education. Presenters share ways schools can use student-centered disciplinary practices to cultivate social and emotional skills and empower student voice.

TAGS social awareness self awareness responsible decision making SEL competence student leadership restorative practices student discipline professional learning youth voice

Student-Led Conferencing Faculty Handbook (Nashville)

Nashville's handbook for student-led conferences describes in detail the role of students, teachers, families, and the school in making the conferences successful, student-centered, and useful.

Chicago Student Code of Conduct (video)

This short video helps students and their families understand Chicago's student code of conduct and highlights the district's SEL-infused approach to student discipline.

TAGS alternatives to suspension restorative practices student discipline

Student SEL Data Reflection Protocol

Student perspective is essential for understanding district data and making equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive decisions. This tool presents a student-led, structured process for students to reflect on school and district data in partnership with adults, to observe trends and discuss ideas for improvement of SEL implementation.

TAGS continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation youth voice

Family/Guest Reflection and Information Sharing Response Sheet for Student-Led Conferences

Handout for family members and caregivers to use at student-led conferences, with suggested questions to prompt students to share about their portfolio and a reflection to reinforce students and give feedback.

Chicago Public Schools Student Code of Conduct

Chicago's Student Code of Conduct was revised to place a greater emphasis on restorative practices, reduce the length of suspensions, eliminate suspension as an option for low-level behaviors and PreK-2nd grade students, and adjust terms to reduce racial bias and subjectivity.

TAGS bullying prevention alternatives to suspension school board board policies restorative practices PK-12 student discipline

Student-led Conferences Introduction

Overview of a Nashville middle school's model for student-led conferences, appropriate for grades 4-12. Search "Student-led conferences" on this site for all resources related to this overview.

TAGS student assessment teacher tool toolkit self awareness student leadership advisory/homeroom middle school grades classroom level family and community engagement youth voice

Student Achievement Support Plan

Example template for a student/family/school agreement, for use during student-led conferences. Addresses support needed for growth in academics, perseverance, ownership, and critical thinking.