2. Objective
• In order to bring student voices to the Prichard Committee we
had to find a way to get the students involved.
• We wanted to involve all students, because everyone has a
different experience in the school system.
• In order to involve all students we came up with the idea to take
the Prichard Committee to the students.
• We decided that the best way to get student voices was to go to
the students.
• This way we can get the overall perspective that we would
otherwise would be impossible.
3. The Beginnings
• To start out we had to tackle the issues of how to get the
Prichard Committee to the schools.
• Then we had to deal with the issue of getting all walks of
students involved.
• So, we came up with the platform of Student Reform Day.
4. Student Reform Day
• The idea behind Student Reform Day is a forum where students
will be able to come up with solutions to problems facing the
Prichard Committee.
• They will have the chance to use design thinking methods to
brainstorm solutions using their insight into the school system.
• We structured the day to fit four separate forums in one school
day. Each forum with ten, randomly selected students. We
suggest that you hold a Student Reform Day quarterly
throughout the year. Though it is acceptable if a student repeats
by chance.
5. Problems to Ponder
What we needed to solve before we could come up with a working prototype.
• How to get the schools on board?
• How to incorporate the Prichard Committee?
• How to keep the students from feeling inferior to the Prichard
Committee members?
• What platform is best for student input?
• How many students, how often do we meet, and on what scale?
• How to get all students involved?
• How to incentivize students?
• How to keep accountability flow between students and Prichard
Committee?
6. •Steps to Success
Running the Program Beginning to End
Step 1- Get the Prichard Step 2- Get the schools Step 3- Come up with
Committee on board involved Topic for discussion
Step 6- Take Student
Step 4- Select Students Step 5- Run the Forums Ideas to the Prichard
Committee
7. How to get the schools involved?
Going to the Students
• Show the schools that it is to their benefit to welcome the
Prichard Committee because it means they are getting a voice
from within the school to a source of power.
• It encourages students to take an active role in their education.
• It provides the chance for the Prichard Committee to see
schools firsthand.
8. How to incorporate the Prichard Committee?
• The Prichard Committee is made
up of influential and successful
men and women. We were afraid
that the students would feel
inferior and that they would hold
back in the discussions.
• Encourages the Prichard
Committee to simply sit back and
listen.
• We really wanted the Prichard
Committee at the school so that
the students could see the people
who can influence change.
9. The Prichard Committee
Introduction to the Students – Show what you do and WHY!
• We suggest that the Prichard Committee create a short, two
minute introduction video.
• The video will cover what the Prichard Committee does.
• What is the purpose of the Student Forum.
• How the students can help the Prichard Committee.
• This video can help to inspire the students to strive high and
come up with unique insights and solutions.
• Inspiring Video Example
10. How to keep the students from feeling inferior to the
Prichard Committee members?
• Limit the number of
Prichard Committee
members, we suggest
two.
• Do an icebreaker
game at the
beginning. Include the
students, Prichard
Committee
members, and the
moderator. This will
help to build
relationships quickly.
12. What platform is best for student input?
• After considering many different platforms to gain student input
we decided on a forum/discussion based platform.
• We wanted to hear what students had to say about the issues
we present to them.
• We also wanted them to have a safe environment where they
would feel comfortable talking. We want the students to be the
conversation.
• We want the students to be able to get into some deep and
messy brainstorming.
13. How many students, how often do we
meet, and on what scale?
• A group of about 10 students is the recommended number of
students. We wanted to keep the number low to help promote
discussion from all students.
• The number of students may change depending on the success of the
group discussion.
• We suggest running four different groups on each Student
Reform Day.
• Student Reform Days will happen every quarter.
• Student Reform Day is a scalable model. We suggest starting
small, in one school and then build outwards.
14. How to get all students involved?
• A diverse group will bring together different experiences and
perspectives.
• In a group of advanced students you may have many who are friends
and who share many classes. Their experience will be more similar than
students who are less advanced and take different classes. That is why
you want a diverse group.
• To get the students involved you need to give them some kind
of incentive.
• Snacks
• Miss class
• Fun/interactive environment
• Be change, see change
16. How are students chosen?
• Students are randomly
selected to participate in an
one hour brainstorming
session.
• There will be an equal ratio of
females and males
• 5 males : 5 females
• Students will get to miss class
• The selection process will be
witnessed by someone
outside the school and the
Prichard Committee.
17. •Example of how students are chosen
Think Lottery Style
Class Roster
18. Student Notification Letter
• Selected students will receive a letter from the teacher whose
class they will be missing.
• Sounds honorable
• Students will inform their teacher if they wish to participate in the
forum. The forum is OPTIONAL.
• The letter will outline the purpose of the forum and the participation of
the Prichard Committee.
• It will also contain the topic for discussion.
19. The Moderator (Job Description)
Intermediary
• The moderator is a young adult, in or around their twenties.
They are interested in helping to promote student involvement
in their education and the process of education policy making.
• The moderator must have graduated from high school and not
be or have been a member of the Prichard Committee.
• The moderator is trained in the Design Thinking approach and
how to run a brainstorming session.
• The moderator must be a leader and capable of handling a
group of diverse high school student.
20. The Moderator
Intermediary
• Their job is to keep the
conversation moving and help the
students to run a successful
brainstorming session.
• They serve as a middle man
between the Prichard Committee
and the students. They help to
interpret and to keep the forum
focused on the students’ voices.
• All questions and comments from
the Prichard Committee during the
forum will go through the
moderator to keep the students
from feelings inferiority.
21. Meeting Agenda
One Hour Student Forum
0.0 min Ice Breaker and Refreshments
Games and Food
0.10 min Introductory Video
Get Students Fired-Up
0.12 min Moderator Discusses Topic and BrainStorm Process
Facilitates Video
0.15 min Student BrainStorm
Uses Whiteboards and Design Thinking Method
0.55 min Closing Remarks
Wrap It Up and Send the Students Back to Class
22. Checks and Balances - Accountability
Keep the Students Coming Back
• Without the Prichard Committee the students have no say in
education. However, the student are the ones directly affected by the
policies the Prichard Committee helps to create.
• To keep the students interested in what the Prichard Committee is
doing and how they are helping, the students need to see the
progress.
• The Prichard Committee is therefore required to report to the
students to let them know what is happening in education policy
making and how their suggestions and ideas are being accomplished.
• We understand that policy making is slow, however, to keep the
students excited they have to be kept informed and they need to
know that what they have to say matter.
24. The Inside Knowledge – Future Implications
It Benefits Everyone
• Student Reform day is a sustainable and scalable model
• With student participation and the Prichard Committee’s power
this tag team will be unstoppable.
• Students get a voice and a source of information that was
before unheard of.
• The Prichard Committee gets a first-hand knowledge of the
school system from the ones it most affects. With the students
on their side the Prichard Committee will gain even more power
in schools and legislative.
• Final Notes: https://kystudentvoices.wordpress.com/
