As an education writer, I frequently examine school board races. I often have to sift through what each candidate says, and usually, it’s a grab bag of the same phrases and tropes. The curriculum buzzwords of the day, parents want this, and teachers want that. But I rarely hear anything about what the students want.

I’m not naive. I understand why parents and teachers are the usual focus for candidates—they’re typically the ones who care the most. On the other hand, students don’t even vote, but this is paradoxical because they are, by definition, the largest stakeholders in a school board the election. They are the group most directly affected by the governance of a school board.

Anyone who has ever taught knows that students obviously have opinions about their education. Even posing that type of question can derail an entire lesson. These opinions should be heard.

Obviously, voting for students is largely out of the question. But there are tangible ways to include student voices.

• Have students research each candidate and respond to their views.
• Host a debate between the candidates at the local high school.
• Hold mock voting and elections.
• Encourage attending school board meetings.

People are not at their most enlightened stage in high school; there is a lot they don’t know and a lot they have yet to learn. However, they are experts on being students in this day and age. It’s strange that we have grown so comfortable leaving their opinions out of the equation.

Let’s change that.