Creating Space to Reclaim Student Voices

This chapter explores the case of Ivan, whose disengagement from school stemmed from ethical conflicts between institutional obligations of duty and Ivan’s principles of self-determination and autonomy. The central dilemma concerns Ivan’s decision to withdraw from school, leading to school avoidance and subsequent loss of school community, loss of academic knowledge, loss of partnerships, and an increase in conflict with peers and family. This disengagement not only impacts students, but also affects their peers, educators, and family systems. The chapter explores the broader ethical question of whose values should take precedence: the student’s right to autonomy, the parent’s role in guidance, or the school’s duty to ensure attendance and learning. Ultimately, it seeks to identify pathways for reconciling these competing interests through collaboration and mutual respect, fostering a partnership that honors autonomy while supporting reengagement within the school community.