High School Student's Bill of Rights

1. Every student should have an advocate at school, one person who shares responsibility with that student for navigating high school and who knows the student’s goals and aspirations .

2. Every student should have qualified teachers who have responsibility for no more than 80 other students.

3. Every student should be able to attend a small school or be part of a small learning community where he/she is known, respected, and safe.

4. Every student should have the opportunity to work with a team of teachers that takes responsibility for a group of students and has time to work together to ensure student success.

5. Every high school student should have the choice of several relevant, rigorous courses where they think, read and write about things that matter and provide a bridge to college and work.

6. Every student should be encouraged to become an expert in something they are passionate about and have the opportunity to demonstrate this knowledge and skills in a variety of ways.

7. Every student should get the time and attention he/she needs to succeed–any subject, any time.

8. Every student should have the opportunity to use current technologies, participate in extracurricular activities, community service and adult world learning experiences.

9. Every student and his/her family should be made aware beginning in elementary school of the importance of higher education and should receive academic, college, and career guidance s that results in an appropriate choice of post secondary learning opportunities.

10.  Every student should have access to means-tested financial aid to attend the college or post secondary learning institution of his or her choice.

I first drafted this in 2002 when thinking about what students deserve from us.  It seems to hold up seven years later.  What did I miss?  What would you change?