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October 2019 | Volume 77 | Number 2 Making School a Safe Place Pages 66-67
Russell Quaglia and Michelle Brait
Students feeling they have a voice is a key indicator of emotional safety. Surveys show there's not enough of either in schools.
What would happen if all students felt valued and had a powerful voice in school? Might it create a safer environment? Our research at the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations (QISVA), suggests that it would. When students have a "voice" in school, they feel more known, valued, and cared about and have a stronger sense of self-worth.
Encouraging student voice within a school is key to creating a sense of emotional safety—and leads to greater academic motivation. Fostering student voice means more than encouraging learners to speak up or share their opinions. It's about creating a school culture that encourages students to be individuals, express and challenge themselves, and contribute to the school community.
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