As I reflect on my 25 years in education—11 as a superintendent—I'm struck by the transformative power of student voice. Our most powerful insights often come from those we serve: our students. At the AASA National Conference on Education 2025, I participated in a session that centered on student voices, challenging us to rethink our approach to educational leadership.

Beyond the Suggestion Box: Authentic Student Engagement

Too often, our attempts at gathering student input resemble a suggestion box gathering dust in the corner—we invite feedback but fail to act meaningfully. As one superintendent shared during our panel, “Students were initially reluctant to share feedback, doubting any action would be taken.” This resonated deeply with me.

The breakthrough came when this leader addressed restroom cleanliness issues by collaborating directly with students and custodians. This simple act—showing students their input mattered—sparked a ripple effect of family engagement throughout the district. The lesson? When students see their voices translated into action, trust flourishes.

The Architecture of Learning

One of the most profound insights from our discussion came from reimagining our approach to student needs. Rather than simply fulfilling specific requests, we should function more like architects—designing learning environments based on the experiences students seek.

This approach has transformed education at Lindsay Unified, where they serve 4,000 learners (90% in poverty) while maintaining a 98% graduation rate. Their community-driven vision emphasizes that every member has a role in supporting learners. When students expressed desires for different learning experiences, administrators didn't just check boxes—they redesigned the entire learning architecture.

From Listeners to Co-Creators

The most progressive districts have moved beyond simply listening to students—they've made them active co-creators in educational design. This shift empowers students and fosters a collaborative approach to education.

• At Calistoga Joint Unified, students opposed holding graduation in the gymnasium, prompting the administration to seek alternative venues.
• In the Highline School District, students participated in extensive interviews to identify themes such as the need for rigorous and relevant learning opportunities.
• McComb School District stands as a pioneer in student-centered learning, demonstrating how prioritizing student voice can transform academic outcomes in historically underserved communities.

This shift requires vulnerability from leadership. One panelist noted, “Superintendents must embrace humility by admitting when they don't know something.” This mindset shift gives permission for everyone in the system to be vulnerable and open to learning.

Addressing Real Challenges Through Student Insight

Perhaps nowhere is student voice more valuable than in addressing our most persistent challenges. Take chronic absenteeism—a nationwide crisis exacerbated by the pandemic.

Our panel revealed that conversations with students provided unprecedented insight: many weren't showing up because nobody seemed to notice or care when they were absent. Others disengaged because they saw no connection between classroom content and real-world applications.

One district achieved a remarkable 99% attendance rate in May by ensuring students felt their presence was essential. The key insight? Students want to be where they feel valued, noticed, and engaged in meaningful work. This underscores the importance of creating a sense of belonging in our educational environments.

Building Systems That Amplify Student Voice

The most effective districts have systematized student voice:

1. Leadership Immersion: Superintendents spend 8-15 hours weekly interacting directly with students
2. Student Ambassadors: Lindsay's Team Empower Ambassadors represent the district's mission and provide ongoing feedback
3. Technology-Enabled Feedback: Using students' cell phones to gather real-time input
4. Majority Representation: Ensuring more students than adults are present when making decisions that impact learners

As one principal wisely shared, “When making decisions impacting learners, ensure more students are present at the table than adults.”

From Theory to Practice: Making the Shift

For superintendents looking to authentically center student voice, consider these starting points:

1. Audit Your Current Reality: How many hours weekly do you spend with students? What mechanisms exist for gathering their feedback? How often do their suggestions lead to concrete changes?
2. Create “Show, Don't Tell” Opportunities: When students express concerns, involve them in developing and implementing solutions. The restroom cleanliness example demonstrates how shared ownership creates lasting change.
3. Reframe Your Leadership Identity: See yourself as a learner first. The most effective superintendents in our panel described themselves as facilitators of community wisdom rather than top-down decision-makers.
4. Design for Belonging: Students attend school consistently when they feel they belong. Ask them: “What would make school a place you want to be every day?”
5. Start Small and Visible: Choose one student-identified issue and address it visibly, ensuring students know their input drove the change.

Looking Forward

As educational leaders, we're navigating unprecedented challenges—from post-pandemic learning recovery to political polarization around curriculum. Yet our most potent solutions may come not from experts or consultants but from the very students we serve.

The districts showcased in our session—from Lindsay Unified to Calistoga Joint—remind us that remarkable transformation follows when we authentically engage students as partners rather than passive recipients. Their achievements—98% graduation rates in high-poverty communities, dramatic improvements in attendance, and transitions from D to B district ratings—speak to the power of this approach.

One superintendent eloquently stated, “Schools exist to meet the needs of students and families.” We fulfill our most fundamental purpose when we design our systems with their voices at the center.

I invite you to join me in this ongoing journey of centering student voices. What one step could you take tomorrow to amplify the voices of the young people you serve? Their insights may hold the key to the educational transformation we all seek.