A dozen San Benito County students addressed the State Board of
Education in Sacramento last week to make sure their voices were
heard on several key educational issues.
Hollister – A dozen San Benito County students addressed the State Board of Education in Sacramento last week to make sure their voices were heard on several key educational issues.
As members of the Student Advisory Board on Education, a branch of the California Association of Student Councils, four Rancho San Justo Middle School students and eight San Benito High School students brought recommendations to the board’s attention on drug and alcohol prevention, the importance of student input in school board decisions and teacher evaluations.
The students recommended the state board create and implement a state-level system to allow students to record their own evaluations on teacher performance. Although administrative feedback is important, students are the best judge of how well a particular teacher is doing, SBHS senior Stefany James said.
“There are millions of students throughout California who want our educators to effectively teach us and are willing to help along the way,” she said in her address to the board. “Our constant exposure in the classroom gives us an inside perspective of teacher performance and with the right venue, our opinions could greatly be utilized as a resource.”
Student evaluations would also help align the classroom expectations of students and teachers, James said.
James proposed such evaluations be administered twice a year for every teacher in the state. Students would fill out the evaluations anonymously.
“We had a wonderful time,” James said. “The best part was actually taking part and making a difference at the state level.”
SBHS Student Activities Director Juan Robledo, who accompanied the students on the trip, was impressed with the depth of the students’ input.
“They learned not to just complain, but to look at solutions and options,” he said.
County Superintendent of Schools Tim Foley was pleased that so many local students were involved.
“I think it’s great that our students have the courage to participate at the highest levels of state government,” he said.
