Honouring their stories: designing schools that work for students

Abstract

This study investigates the learning experiences of students with learning and behavioural challenges in both traditional and alternative secondary school models through narrative inquiry. The data was collected in semi-structured interviews with students with exceptional needs, and the staff who work with them. The data was then organized into themes from which fictionalized stories of possible student experiences were developed. Issues of connections with school, student teacher relationships and programming possibilities, with particular focus on the cohort model from a particular alternative program, are explored through stories of student experience. By representing student voice the intention is that the stories may inform our planning of school organizational structures to best meet the needs of all students.