Student Voice, Agency and Participation: What does it mean for our practices?
Roger Holdsworth, Honorary Associate, Youth Research Centre, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Editor/Publisher: Connect, supporting student participation

 Terms such as student voice, agency, participation, empowerment and leadership have been used powerfully within Victorian education. But do we share an understanding about their meaning and differences? And, more importantly, what are the implications for our work within specialist schools? This workshop will explore the intentions that underpin these terms, and hear of some examples of their practical development. For example, is voice solely about student skills and capabilities? How do we hear what our students are saying - and what if they are non-verbal? What agency is possible? And most importantly: what assumptions do we make about our students, and how does their voice, agency and participation challenge these assumptions?