Pupil, teacher and family voice in educational institutions: values, opinions, beliefs and perspectives

Abstract

In the current volume, the term ‘voice’ refers to the values, opinions, beliefs and perspectives of students, families, teachers and senior management of institutions in the education system. It also refers to the extent to which those values, opinions, beliefs, and perspectives are considered and included when important decisions are being made. We acknowledge that, while the concept of voice is given in the singular, the groups to which we give voice in this book are not intended to represent a unified body of beliefs, perspectives, and cultural values. Rhetoric associated with the concept of voice in education has grown increasingly popular in recent decades. This predicated on the belief that students will achieve more, that parents and families will feel more confidence in the institution, and that teachers will be more effective and professionally fulfilled if the senior management listen to, and act upon, the values, opinions and beliefs of the people community associated with it. However, rhetoric is not always the same as what is actually experienced in reality. This book has been designed to explore some of the tensions in this area of education.