STUDENTS AS CHANGE AGENTS: THE GENERATION Y MODEL

This chapter looks at the often forgotten stakeholders in our schools — the students. Students make up more than 92% of most K-12 school systems yet they are seldom meaningfully involved in school reform or the professional development of teachers. Recent research in the United States shows that 54% of American schools involve students in the maintenance of computers and network infrastructure, students carry out only 4% of professional development in technology. This chapter looks at both the Generation Y (Gen Y) model, which accounts for most of this 4%, and a comprehensive review of research support for student voice, perspectives, and involvement.