Student Congress on Policies in Education

2014 SCOPE - Monday, March 10 at MTSU in Murfreesboro

Students are encouraged to bring their electronic device (cell phone, ipad, laptop, etc.) to the meeting because we will be utilizing them throughout the conference. 

SCOPE brings together 9th through 12th grade students from across the state to discuss major topics in education. Participants have an opportunity to discuss major topics and learn about education issues through mock school board meetings, discussions and debates.

At the end of the day, participants meet as a congress, where each group's student leader gives a presentation on one of the issues discussed, and the students vote on the major issues. The delegates also elect the next year's SCOPE officers from among the SCOPE group representatives.

Shortly after the conference, the students' opinions and recommendations are published in a report that is distributed to all student participants and published in the TSBA April Journal, which is sent to each school board member in Tennessee, the state Board of Education and key legislators. Students also are asked to report the findings of the conference to their local school board. 

To give SCOPE delegates a better understanding of how school boards develop policy, delegates are asked to attend their local school board meeting prior to coming to SCOPE.

SCOPE 2013 Debate Results 

This year’s four debate topics and results from the poll were:


  1. Corporal punishment shall be prohibited in public schools. (Agree: 35% Disagree 65%)
     
  2. Prior to graduation, students shall be required to complete 48 hours of community service during their junior/senior years. (Agree: 67.4% Disagree 32.6%)
     
  3. The school calendar shall be increased from 180 to 200 days of instruction. 
(Agree: 46% Disagree 54%)
     
  4. Failing students shall be required to attend Saturday school for remedial instruction. 
(Agree: 40.8% Disagree 59.2%)
      

2014 SCOPE OFFICERS

 

Julio Salazar (middle)
President
Morristown West High School
Hamblen County

Kemario Davis (left)
1st Vice President
George Washington Carver High School
Memphis

Amber Choice (right)
 2nd Vice President
Tyner Academy
Hamilton County


To access and download all 2013 SCOPE photos, click here.