In early January of this year, students in Newark, New Jersey over the age of 16 won the right to vote in school board elections and matters involving their education. The legislation was passed almost unanimously in hopes of driving youth engagement in civic duties and it is sure to be a benchmark in advocating for youth participation in democracy.
The school board makes decisions that often shape curriculum, facilities, and extracurriculars that impact students’ daily academic life. It only seems fair that students should have a say in electing the people who make those decisions. Not only would this give students a say, but it would also make sure that their interests are represented and respected in new policies. School Board members would have to appeal to students on issues and changes they’d like to see implemented.
When asked to name a school board member, the vast majority of Garfield students not only can’t do so, but they also could not tell you what the school board is or what it does. While high schoolers are generally checked out on district wide policies, the ability to vote on members would almost certainly increase engagement. As Vaughn Seigel, a Junior at Garfield put it, “If I were able to vote and make a change, I would want to learn about it so I could make an informed decision.”
As students turn 16-years-old, the daunting idea of what they’ll do post-high school looms. By providing the ability to vote in school board elections, students have more time to learn about the process of voting before participating in larger elections. As civic members, they would need to be informed not only on the functions of the board but also the decisions they would be voting on. This is one of the main reasons this passed in Newark: to increase civic engagement in young adults. It serves as a learning tool that teaches the importance of every vote and the power of collective action toward a better future. “If I were able to vote I would be excited to go out and make a difference,” Becky Johnston, a junior at Garfield said.
The new legislation passed in New Jersey should be a precedent that other states follow. All schools, including Garfield, share a common disconnect between the administrators’ policies and student priorities. Student involvement is something many schools strive for because it creates the best learning environment. It’s critical to find a balance between well-versed, responsive school district administrators and an involved student body that strives to engage in policy-making.
Allowing those 16 and up to vote in school board elections would increase student awareness and involvement in issues that affect them. This would create a new environment where receiving student participation is no longer a chore, but something students feel motivated to participate in.
