Students can speak out about education with new resource

Province-wide student forums resume in October

Edmonton... Students across Alberta can speak out about their education by hosting their own student forums using the newly created Speak Out – Alberta Student Engagement Initiative Forum Tool Kit.

The forum tool kit, a set of interactive DVDs, is another way to encourage students across the province to become active participants in the Speak Out – Alberta Student Engagement Initiative that was launched by the Alberta government in November 2008.  This resource is available to students free of charge and can be ordered by telephone by calling 780-427-3160, or by e-mailing speakout@gov.ab.ca .

Students on the Minister of Education’s Student Advisory Council, created in May, will also be hosting student forums in their communities over the next few months to discuss student concerns and ideas.  The information they gather will be shared with the Minister of Education at regularly scheduled meetings.

During the 2009-10 school year, 26 Speak Out forums will be hosted by various school jurisdictions across the province starting in October. Through these group discussions, students in Grades 9-12 will have the opportunity to talk about their educational experience and identify what is or is not working for them in school.

Since November 2008, 38 Speak Out forums were held across the province reaching several thousand students. The student feedback that has been gathered demonstrates that Alberta youth have a keen understanding of what is important to their learning and a desire to be involved in the improvement of their collective educational experience.

A number of common issues emerged around improving student-teacher interaction and fostering stronger relationships, providing more opportunities for students to prepare for their future, improving evaluation and testing methods, increasing student involvement and creating an improved, personalized and healthy learning environment. 

There is a growing body of evidence that links student engagement with graduation rates and academic success.  Asking for students’ input is instrumental to building a more effective education system in Alberta as well as creating more engaged and successful students.   For more information about the Speak Out – Alberta Student Engagement Initiative, visit: www.speakout.alberta.ca

Backgrounder

Fall Speak Out forums schedule

During the 2009-10 school year, 26 Speak Out forums will be hosted by various school jurisdictions across the province. Through these group discussions, students in Grades 9-12 will have the opportunity to talk about their educational experience and identify what is or is not working for them in school.  The following is a list of confirmed forums for the fall.

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