A Study of the Elementary-School Student Council

This study attempted the measurement of the children's attitudes toward the student council by questioning the people most concerned with the school-the teacher, the parent, the principal, the clerical and custodial staff, and, most important, the child himself. How do they feel about the student council in their school? From a careful analysis of their attitudes, it would seem safe to conclude that the council is or is not successful in meeting the objectives of democratic school living. The situation.-There are three sixgrade elementary schools in this suburban community of approximately eight thousand people: Forest, Linden, and Central Schools. Linden Avenue School is the largest, having two classes of each grade except the fourth. Forest and Central Schools have student councils organized in about the same way, since one principal serves both schools. Forest's council has been in operation about eight years, while Central's has been functioning only two years. Linden's council has been functioning for more than ten years and is organized somewhat differently. The first two schools have property and safety committees serving directly under the student council. ' This study was made possible through the co-operation and helpful suggestions of the supervising principal, John P. Milligan; the two school principals, John W. Seeley and Mrs. Malcolm Curry; the school psychologist, Mrs. Madeline Gardner; and the teachers and pupils of all the schools participating in the study.