Going into my position as the Student Member to the Nevada State Board of Education, I quickly realized a critical gap between my experiences and the experiences of my peers around the state. Although I know what it’s like going to a rural school in Nye County, I have no idea what it is like to go to school in the inner city or in northern Nevada. How, then, can I genuinely represent their interests? This question isn’t just about my position or even the Nevada State Board of Education - it’s about how Nevada can ensure every student’s voices are heard, regardless of where they come from or their story. Every Student Board Member must understand their blind spots for representation and learn how to shed light on underrepresented groups and experiences to better serve the students they advocate for. Creating a Student Advisory group is the first step to better understanding your student population.
While an advisory group can vary from district to district or state to state, gaining student opinions in your constituency is essential. This can take the form of a monthly meeting with representatives from every school, a bi-weekly gathering at a local school, or anything else, depending on the individual needs of your population. It can also be established through your Department of Education or District or established independently, depending on your priorities when creating the group. Each has its perks and cons, and you should consider each carefully before creating it.
By working with your educational authority, you can collaborate and get assistance from staff and your superintendent, possible funding, have a closer link to the administration, and communicate with students directly. While this seems like a no-brainer to work through your board, there are a lot of drawbacks that come with it. This includes the lack of control that comes with sharing authority with the group. You might be unable to do everything you would like with the group, choose when they meet or cover particular topics. You also have to work through administrative systems and bureaucracy to create the group, so starting it could be more challenging.
Alternatively, you can create an independent group that informs the student board member. This provides more freedom for collaboration, advocacy, and organization than the restrictions inherent in working underneath your district or department. However, this presents its own set of challenges when it comes to recruitment and funding. Without a direct line of communication with students in the district, it becomes difficult to recruit passionate students for the group. Despite this, many student board members operate their own groups, hand them down to their successors, and maintain membership.
Within Nevada, I have had a chance to develop the Nevada Student Advisory Group for Education under the State Superintendent. While there have been challenges, it has been extremely rewarding within my position and throughout Nevada education. On top of an advisory group, we have worked to develop legislation to create the Student Member position on local boards, giving students a seat at the table. Although it’s still in the beginning stages, my hopes for Nevada SAGE are high. I encourage any student board member to create a student advisory group to better understand the needs and opinions of your constituency.
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