A – 8 Student Voice in High School: A Critical Component in the Change

A – 8 Student Voice in High School: A Critical Component in the Change Patricia Hershfeldt, Ed.D., Dustin Hartwigsen, ABC, Kim Crawford, ABC, Christina Knepper, ABC Sheppard Pratt Health System

This is the overview for the program. I will delete this slide once we have built the ppt Just for your info. • The importance of creating positive change in the climate and culture of high schools has received national attention. In order for efforts to be successful, youth voice is a critical component to ensure buy-in from the student body.

This is the overview for the program. I will delete this slide once we have built the ppt Just for your info. • Participants will hear testimony from students who participated in the Youth Empowerment Summer training. • Participants will learn the challenges and the benefits of including youth voice. • Participants will be invited to discuss ways that youth voice has been incorporated.

Maryland Safe and Supportive Schools (MDS3) Implementation “develop capacity in schools to improve” Research and evaluation “sustainable system to measure” Administration “facilitate and manage implementation and disseminate outcomes to stakeholders”

MDS3 School Climate Model: Kristen Harper, Office of Safe and Healthy Students, United States Department of Education

Work groups within our team • Youth Voice • Mental Health • Bully Prevention • Common Core connections

Student involvement is the KEY to success • Learning from youth the reality of high schools today • MDS3 2013 Summer Institute • Film festivals • Stephen Decatur High School , Worcester County, Teaching the Expectations • Catonsville HS, Balt. Co., Bully Prevention • South River HS AACPS, Character Kick-off • Youth empower youth! • Providing a forum/opportunity for students to connect • MDS3 website • Youth empowerment summits (E. Shore – Spring 2013, AACPS Oct. 2013, …)

Relationships and Youth Connectedness ESSENTIAL to children’s well being. • A sample of 2,022 students (999 boys and 1,023 girls) ages 12-14 years was measured at two time points twelve months apart on school connectedness and mental health symptoms (general functioning, depression, and anxiety symptoms). After adjusting for any prior conditions that could have led to mental health problems, the authors of the study reported stronger than previous evidence of the association with school connectedness and adolescent depressive symptoms and a predictive link between school connectedness to future mental health problems. • 22 Early studies suggest that there are substantial percentages of violent youth who do not perceive themselves to be liked by classmates and who report loneliness. (Clin, 2006 Adol Psychology)

Strategy Guide on Fostering School Connectedness: CDC • Research has shown that young people who feel connected to their school are less likely to engage in many risk behaviors, including early sexual initiation, alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, and violence and gang involvement. • Students who feel connected to their school are also more likely to have better academic achievement, including higher grades and test scores, have better school attendance, and stay in school longer.

MDS3 School Climate Survey • Students, staff, and parents are asked to complete a web based climate survey • 25 classrooms (7 9th grades & 6 of grades 10-12) • Option to survey more classes • The survey: • Collects information about perceptions of the school environment • Completed on-line • Takes 15.8 minutes for students, 16.1 minutes for staff, and 9.6 minutes for parents • Anonymous and voluntary • Cohort 1: Administered annually in Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, & Spring 2014 (March - end of school year)

MDS3 School Climate Survey SAFETY • Physical Safety - I feel safe at this school. • Bullying - During the current school year have you been bullied? • Social-Emotional Wellbeing - It is OK to hit someone if they hit me first. • Substance Use - During the past 30 days, how many days did you have 1 drink of alcohol? ENGAGEMENT • Relationships and Connectedness - I feel like I belong. • School Participation and Academic Emphasis - I like this school. • Parental Involvement - This school tries to involve parents or guardians. • Culture of Inclusion and Equity - Teachers believe that all students can do well if they try. ENVIRONMENT • Order and Discipline - Disruptions by other students can get in the way of my learning. • Physical Environment - The school has a bright and pleasant appearance. • Supportive Services - This school has programs to deal with violence and conflict among students.

Spring 2012: Students (Intervention Schools)

I will include some slides on specific Student Engagement Data from the project

Dustin, Kim and Christina (60 minutes) • Describe the different events we’ve been doing • Who was invited, when, where • Format for the day (what did you do with the students to prep?) • Videos • Really emphasize the hurdles • Next steps • MDS3 website

A – 8 Student Voice in High School: A Critical Component in the Change