Citation

Morse LL, Allensworth DD. J. Sch. Health 2015; 85(11): 785-794.

Affiliation

Kent State University-Kent, OH, c/o 3053 Pointe Court, Snellville, GA 30039. Dallensw@kent.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/josh.12313

PMID

26440820

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Students are the heart of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. Students are the recipients of programs and services to ensure that they are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged and also serve as partners in the implementation and dissemination of the WSCC model.

METHODS: A review of the number of students nationwide enjoying the 5 Whole Child tenets reveals severe deficiencies while a review of student-centered approaches, including student engagement and student voice, appears to be one way to remedy these deficiencies.

RESULTS: Research in both education and health reveals that giving students a voice and engaging students as partners benefits them by fostering development of skills, improvement in competence, and exertion of control over their lives while simultaneously improving outcomes for their peers and the entire school/organization.

CONCLUSIONS: Creating meaningful roles for students as allies, decision makers, planners, and consumers shows a commitment to prepare them for the challenges of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.

Language: en