This article explores what it takes to develop systemic strategies and structures that engage youth as coconstructors of their learning environment and experience. It looks at efforts nationwide to engage young people in educational change endeavors, draws on lessons learned from a national high school reform initiative, and addresses some challenges faced by educators and students attempting this work. Finally, it examines groundbreaking youth-engagement work in New York that has successfully motivated students to increase academic achievement and graduation, college-going, and retention rates.
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