SCOPE lets students debate school policy
Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE) attendees from Anderson County High School are, from left, Roxanna Aguilar and Parker Davis, and from Clinton High School, Ayden Golden and Kennedy Cook. (photo:Ben Pounds )
Tennessee School Boards Association runs the Student Congress on Policies in Education.
The event took place on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville on March 3. Coming from ACHS were Roxanna Aguilar and Parker Davis, and from Clinton High School were Ayden Golden and Kennedy Cook.
Attendees participated in mock school board sessions, where they assumed the roles of school board members, school officials, parents, students and concerned citizens, a news release stated.
School board members and superintendents from across the state led the students in these mock board meetings.
Later in the afternoon, students chose speakers to represent each of their small groups.
The speakers then took part in full-scale debates on current education issues.
At the March 12 Anderson County Board of Education meeting, some of the participants shared their thoughts on the debates, which had topics like funding for career and technical education versus humanities, and whether foreign language classes should be mandatory or voluntary.
“I found it to be eye-opening talking to so many people from so many different parts of Tennessee, as well as me being part of the board and a mock meeting,” said Aguilar.
She said she appreciated the chance to debate others’ points of view while still being respectful and holding her own beliefs. She recommended SCOPE to people who like debating and who are interested in learning how schools work.
Davis took part in a debate about CTE versus fine arts funding. Despite being an ACHS marching band member, he said he gained appreciation for the CTE side of the debate.
Davis especially recommended the club for people interested in pursuing careers connected to educational public policy.
“I think it was amazing because many of my thoughts and ideas were changed,” he Davis.
“Even though that career is something I’m not necessarily interested in, I was able to gain a lot,” he said.
“So, I think anyone who comes into it with an open mind and who’s genuinely interested, can honestly take a lot away from the program.”
Golden said the most valuable aspect for him was learning about school boards’ structure and procedures.
“If that’s something that you want to do, I feel like it’s good to connect with people and be able to have those skills so that you share ideas,” he said.
“And it’s also important to get out of your comfort zone.”
