Teen Violence
Policy Enhancement by Student Empowerment
Does student empowerment in complex policy making develop greater student compliance? Absolutely! Let me tell you why! My 8th grade Law students told me they wanted to develop a public policy on the topic of teen violence. This need and desire came from the recent rise in violent crimes that are committed by teenagers across the nation. They felt that developing a prevention plan would help alleviate the rise in Juvenile crime. However, should 13 and 14 year old students be empowered to make those decisions?
Student empowerment is about students speaking out and taking action. Action refers to using student’s energy to develop leadership in their school and/or community. Schools are considered significant institutions in local communities and thus have the authority to promote or restrain the empowerment process. Empowerment can be defined as An intentional ongoing process centered in the local community, involving mutual respect, critical reflection, caring, and group participation, through which people lacking an equal share of valued resources gain greater access to and control over those resources. Mutual respect means that parents, teachers, students and others involved in the decision making process have strengths, can assess their own needs, and will make responsible choices when given the opportunity and the power to choose. In an empowered school, there is a concerted effort to involve students, parents, teachers, and school administrators in the decision-making process. This involvement leads to improved educational achievement in children. One essential element of empowerment is joint/cooperative partnerships, which includes: The team community members, teachers, learners, administrators, and families. Each of these members involved must mutually agree, thereby reaching group consensus on issues. It has also been found that in order for education reform to succeed, it must be structured to enable teachers, administration, parents, and community members to address collectively the problems that face their schools. There is a need for students to play a more prominent role in the education system. Teen Violence is an issue that effects everyone. In developing their prevention program one main issue to consider was identifying at-risk students and getting them the help that they need. An at-risk student is more likely to talk to a peer rather than an adult. That is why it is important to have students involved in developing a policy to prevent violence. Furthermore, when students are given the opportunity to be involved in decision-making, it provides ownership, thus they will be more likely to comply. Part of their policy also includes an automatic expulsion for severe violent crimes and an “alternative” school for those students that can’t function in a normal school setting.
If we empower students to develop these complex policies that relate to them we will definitely have greater compliance. After all, schools should be safe places for teaching and learning. Teachers shouldn’t have to worry about assaults and verbal abuse from their students; and students should not stay away from school out of fear for their personal safety. Violence and the threat of violence should not prevent schools from being effective communities of learning. Fear should not permeate school classrooms, playgrounds, and buses. Let our youth stand up and voice their views and opinions about what’s important to them and effects them daily. They can make a difference- – – we just have to give them a chance! After all, that’s why I went into education – because I care about kids. Nothing energizes me more than the eagerness and willingness of my students to pour their hearts and souls into something that is important to them. They are gaining valuable knowledge and experiences they will never forget