Structure R&D teams for student critical mass, processing time, and collaboration to dispel intimidation¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

A strategy for amplifying student voice in education R&D teams based on findings from the Young (2022) study. "Creating openings for students; structuring the team so that students have a critical mass; and structuring time for students to process and collaborate build students' confidence and dispel the intimidation some students feel when faced with working with adults." This includes giving students weighted votes in decision-making and intentionally cultivating adult readiness to listen to students. Reflective questions include how to prepare students for these roles and what equity pause points to reinforce.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Adults must be intentionally cultivated and prepared to listen to students
• Teams must create equity pause points where the process does not continue without substantial input from students closest to the challenge

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• secondary students participating in district-community R&D teams

Target Learning Goals¶

• student confidence in adult-collaborative settings
• student leadership in R&D
• equitable participation in decision-making

Related Strategies¶

• Anti-oppressive co-design meeting practices: land acknowledgements, shared roles, breakout discussions, multiple input modes
• Support deep CI implementation through capacity inventories, gradual-release coaching, structured collaboration opportunities, and student voice
• Use an \"equity pause\" to infuse equity consciousness into continuous improvement team processes

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Smith, K., & Young, V. M. (2024). A New Narrative: How Unlocking the Power of R&D Through Inclusive Innovation Can Transform Education. Digital Promise, Center for Inclusive Innovation. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/73f2e0fa-dca8-4cd0-a8da-eb18b59453c4. doi:10.51388/20.500.12265/202