Suggests that one result of student activism in past decades was the formalization of student participation. Proposes student influence may be declining due to career interests and increases in state control. Outlines developments affecting student power in the 80's: campus government, student membership on trustee boards, and student lobbies.…

A survey of college student leaders (n=236) participating in 3 workshops identified and ranked 49 salient issues in student government in 6 categories: finance, quality of student life, structure, relationships, representation, and social issues. Results are discussed and detailed in tables for institution type, enrollment, and ranking of issues.…

A study examining student feelings of empowerment in a rural Midwestern consolidated high school surveyed 54 students. Results indicate that students from the town where the school was located felt the most ownership in the school; most students were satisfied with the student council; and students were more involved in decision making in…

As part of citizenship education, school councils have been set up in primary schools based on adult models of democratic committees. This article looks at children's and teachers' perspectives on their school councils and goes on to analyse the ways in which alternative strategies for addressing the constraints identified were developed in three…

For a middle school student council to be effective, it must address the unique behaviors of and situations that arise for adolescents. The development of decision-making skills, conflict resolution skills, and cooperative learning and working not only provides a framework for success as a council, but also enables students to maximize their own…

What difference does education make for young adults' engagement in politics and social issues? This study is part of the OECD's Centre for Educational Research and Innovation (CERI) project on "Measuring the Social Outcomes of Learning" (SOL). It discusses relevant international research, with special attention to studies in the Nordic…

A recently desegregated high school student subsystem in a Deep South urban center is examined in this paper. It was found that although court ordered desegregation paired two high school populations, it did not effect racial boundaries. The whites, largely because they had been attending the school prior to desegregation, have been able to…

This report describes results of a study of secondary school student participation in extracurricular activities. The activity offerings were identified and classified into eleven groups: 1) class-related, 2) athletics, 3) music, 4) school services, 5) drama, 6) school publications, 7) personal interests, 8) honor, 9) student government, 10)…

This paper discusses the need for a quality written constitution for student government. The thought process involved in implementing democracy in the university setting is outlined in 10 steps. Members of the student government need to realize the tremendous potential of using the democratic process to resolve disagreements. Each of the 10…

The United Nations' Child Friendly Cities movement is committed to implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child. School boards can participate by augmenting a safe physical environment with a policy environment that treats children with respect; encouraging meaningful participation in school governance; recognizing and addressing the…

Examines the benefits associated with involvement in campus governance. Discusses implications for enhancing student learning through participation in governance structures and processes. Asserts that participation in campus governance is linked to desirable outcomes for individual students and to positive contributions to the welfare of the…

Discusses techniques that teachers can use to help students better understand classroom rules and the reasons for them. Suggests that teachers can use "class meetings" to get students involved in the rule-making process, discussing norms of behavior, asking reflective questions of students, and building classroom unity and cooperation. (MDM)

Asserts that students can make sound decisions regarding educational change. Discusses the shift from adult to student-led decision making in a California middle school's student council program. Describes activities organized by the student council and the resulting growth of student responsibility. (CFR)

Constitutional implications of the University of Massachusetts' establishment and termination of a legal services office, and a student challenge to its closure, are examined, focusing on the court's decision to disregard forum analysis and instead apply subsidy analysis, which almost predetermined the final holding. (MSE)

The First Amendment rights provided to journalists--freedom of speech and of the press--are fundamental beliefs held by Americans. What students learn in the government class, however, may not be what they learn as editors-in-chief of student newspapers. U.S. schools are being charged with the censorship of student publications at an…