The voice of young people – contribution for their involvement in the school

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this action research project was to gain an understanding of, and to mobilise the voices of diverse young people enrolled in a Portuguese secondary school. A case study methodology, in conjunction with action research methodology, was used for this study. The action research data indicated that projects conceived throughout the study were successful in mobilising the voices of 14 young secondary school students in decision-making processes. The young people engaged democratically, made informed decisions about themselves and their peers, managed conflicts, and reinforced the importance of interpersonal relationships. These changes took place at the individual, as well as group levels.

KEYWORDS:

• Voices of young people
• intercultural education
• involvement
• educational change

Acknowledgments

We thank Filomena Rodrigues for their collaboration in the revision of English in this text

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work is funded by the national agency FCT — Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, IP.— within the context of the Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Educação e Formação - UID/CED/04107/2019.

Notes on contributors

Elsa Biscaia Machado

Elsa Biscaia Machado, PhD in Education, specialty in teacher’s education, is a professor and researcher at the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and is also a teacher of philosophy in high school. Her main interests of research are related to interculturality in education, teacher education and philosophy with children.

Isabel Pimenta Freire

Isabel Pimenta Freire, PhD in Education Sciences, is a researcher and a retired professor at the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon, Portugal. Her main interests of research are related to interpersonal relationships, interculturality in education and teacher education. Research on these issues is at the origin of scientific articles published (as single author or co-authored) in Portuguese, Spanish, French and English.

Ana Paula Caetano

Ana Paula Caetano, PhD in Education Sciences, is associate professor and researcher at the Institute of Education, University of Lisbon (specialisation in Teacher Education and Supervision) and master courses in Education and Training. Her main research interests are in the area of education, mainly teacher education (teacher development, ethics, action research projects), social mediation, intercultural and arts education. Research on these issues is at the origin of scientific articles published (as single author or co-authored) in Portuguese, Spanish, French and English.

Susana Vassalo

Susana Vassalo, area of Intercultural Education from the Institute of Education of Lisbon.  Participated at the Scientific Research Project ‘Voices of children and youth in the development of intercultural education’. Currently is a Mathematics and Natural Sciences Teacher in Basic Education (2^nd cycle). She has a graduate degree in Populations with Special Educational Needs, and has experience as tutor teacher and as coordinator of disciplinary groups of teachers, as well.

Lisete Bicho

Lisete Bicho, Degree in Modern Languages and Literatures - Portuguese and English Studies, University of Lisbon. Master in Education Sciences, and the specialisation area of Intercultural Education from the Institute of Education of Lisbon. She participated in the projects ‘Voices of Children and youth in the development of intercultural education’. Currently is an English teacher in Basic Education (3^rd cycle).