| By Liberaltarian - Sep 23rd, 2008 at 10:30 am EDT |
Here's a great example of students taking matters into their own hands, and bypassing "authorized" methods of student participation (student government/council).
Scotland School for Veterans Children has made several changes for the new school year, the result of a student protest held at the end of last school year.
In late May several teenage students gathered by a clock on the lawn around the student cottages to petition for changes to certain school rules, policies, curriculum, campus conditions and dress code concerns.
[...]
The dress code was also an important issue for students, who wanted more variety in their school uniforms. The new red polo shirt was a popular addition to student wardrobes, he said, and the boys got longer shorts to reflect a more modern style.The administration was quick to emphasize to students the importance of the student council, Cramsey said, as the protest last school year could have been avoided if students had realized they could approach their peer representatives.
It indeed would have been avoided, but it appears the students are under no illusions that the school would have acted. I'm sure some advisory committee or commission would "look into" the student demands and make recommendations after a year or two, by which point much of the rebellious energy would have been exhausted.
Students seized the moment, and for it they have won concessions. Hopefully this will inspire future instances of direct action, both in high school and at college. Power to the students! (Except for these students - Youth for Western Civilization. ;)
(x-posted at For Student Power and Young People For)
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