Synthesize
Throughout this module, you and your team have discussed why youth input is crucial, how to empower students to speak their minds, and how to cultivate the transformative power of true student collaboration. Here’s a look at how other high school design or redesign teams have grappled with some of these same issues.
Now it’s time for you and your team to step back and reflect.
Step 1 – Summarize Your Work
Based on your conversations with young people and other research, what are your top insights about how young people experience school and learning in their lives? How do they envision their educational and career opportunities? What role can and should high schools play in preparing them for the future? Working with your team, summarize your conclusions.
Step 2 – Share Your Vision
Now get ready to share your ideas with others in your school and community.
- List your top insights about how students experience their high schools today, their aspirations for the future, and how they think high schools can help prepare them.
- What’s your plan for further research and action? How and on what timeline do you intend to engage more students? How will you incorporate their vision into the planning process? What organizations, schools, or programs would you like to visit or interview, so you and your team can experience engaging learning firsthand? Are there key people you want to consult, such as educators, youth development experts, afterschool providers, or psychologists?
- What school design ideas emerged from your work?
More Resources on This Topic
![a student listening]()
Unlocking the DoorIowa BIG graduate Jemar Lee describes his personal journey from disengaged middle school student to thriving high schooler and national advocate for reimagining education.
Read![a teacher smiling]()
Encouraging Student VoiceWant to encourage student voice but aren’t sure how? This article gives examples of how education leaders around the country are doing it.
Read![two students smiling]()
Human-Centered DesignWondering how to design with and for students? Check out this easy-to-use Field Guide to Human-Centered Design, created by the design firm IDEO.
Explore![two students laughing]()
Youth Voice and EquityThis toolkit from the Great Lakes Center helps educators gauge how well they are considering equity while they work to raise student voice.
Explore![a student smiling]()
Youth-Led RadioWhat would young people put on the radio if they ran the station? Listen live to the official Youth Radio App, and read more about this national media model.
Explore![a student using a paintbrush]()
Mural Arts ProgramThe Mural Arts Program in Philadelphia connects young people to professional artists and public art projects, from independent, small scale pieces to large-scale collaboration.
Read![a student listening]()
The New York Times Student Opinion BlogCheck out the student opinion blog on the New York Times’ Learning Network, where students are invited to give their opinions on current news.
Explore![two students smiling]()
Latinx VoicesA collection of poems, essays, photography, and video representing the voices of Latinx youth.
Explore
