The State Board of Education’s Student Advisory Council is laying out some of its goals for the year.
Council President Kaitlyn Zhou says one of the top priorities for the council is to reduce the stigma of mental health for students and staff and combat bullying.
Zhou said, “Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in the number of people, especially students, struggling with mental health, as well as cyber-bullying. Therefore, we want to let their perspective be heard, and let them know they aren’t just another statistic on paper.
Council member Eric Veal Jr. of Willowbrook High School is pushing for more ethnic education in Illinois schools.
Speaking on the topic, Veal said, “…thus making our students more socially competent, making Illinois more compassionate, empathetic, and aware of ethnic groups that make Illinois so unique.
Other goals include more minority teachers as well as surveying students about how they are doing with remote studies and whether they feel enough support from their school. The Student Advisory Council will issue their final recommendations to the State Board of Education in April.
