Students Get a Voice

The Pennsylvania State Board of Education's student representation committee is expected to recommend in May that the board's bylaws be amended so two students can participate. In Maine, the state board will soon appoint two student board members. Both states were part of NASBE's Student Leadership Initiative, supported by MetLife Foundation, to help strengthen education and to encourage leadership development among young people.

"Having a student at the table is critical ... when you talk about things like high-stakes testing or graduation requirements," said project director Lori Meyer. "These students are living it every day."

Read more about student leadership on state boards of education here.