Government pledges role for "student voice" in developing 14-19 education.
The schools secretary, Ed Balls, has announced plans to give the "iPod generation" a greater say in shaping 14-19 education reforms.
In his report, Delivering 14-19 Reform: Next Steps, Mr Balls said he will introduce new requirements for consortia of local authorities, schools, colleges, employers and higher education institutions to seek the views of students in their area during the planning stages of new diplomas.
The minister said giving young people a say in how their education and training is developed will give them increased enthusiasm for the programmes and greater motivation to succeed.
He pointed to schemes in Salford and Newham where diploma consortia have already introduced information programmes designed by and featuring students as examples of the "ambitious spirit" he is seeking.
"Young people are savvier than they are sometimes given credit for and have the ideas and energy we need to ensure the great changes we make are relevant, inspiring and demanding enough," he said.
He added that pilot schemes will be launched in diploma consortia areas from September 2010 to develop best practice in effectively incorporating students' views.
The first changes to the 14-19 education curriculum came into effect in September 2008.
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