Politics, Education and Student Voice

Abstract

Many states are facing unprecedented budget shortfalls, and elected officials are implementing a variety of solutions to the problem. Cuts to education directly affect educators at all levels and will likely affect students as well. Announcement of proposals viewed as harmful to faculty has created a charged atmosphere on college campuses across the country, with some faculty and staff, union members and representatives, and students staging protests and rallies primarily opposing budget cuts to education and elimination of collective bargaining for faculty. This study examines relationships between student perceptions of how these issues are addressed in classrooms, perceptions that professors want to know what students think, beliefs about whether an individual's position reflects the majority, and whether students feel free to express their opinions to their professors.