Academicus International Scientific Journal Gabor Vasmatics info@academicus.edu.al mEDRA 1 1 20260725 01

06 10.7336/academicus.2026.34.08 https://academicus.edu.al/nr34/Academicus-MMXXVI-34-137-151.html 1 01 URL https://academicus.edu.al AA AA02 Academicus International Scientific Journal (official website) 2 01 URL https://academicus.edu.al/nr34/references/Academicus-MMXXVI-34-137-151.html AF AF05 References Link 3 01 URL https://academicus.edu.al/nr34/Academicus-MMXXVI-34-137-151.html AA AA03 Abstract 4 01 URL https://academicus.edu.al/nr34/Academicus-MMXXVI-34-137-151.pdf AD AD03 Full Text (PDF) 5 01 e-mail mailto:info@academicus.edu.al AG AG02 E-Commerce Printed Format (info@academicus.edu.al) 6 01 URL https://academicus.edu.al/images/covers/cover-34.jpg AA AA04 Front cover image 7 02 URL https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ AA AA14 Rights and Licences 8 02 URL https://plu.mx/plum/a/?doi=10.7336/academicus.2026.34.08 AF AF06 PlumX Metrix https://academicus.edu.al/nr34/Academicus-MMXXVI-34-137-151.html https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Academicus 01 Academicus International Scientific Journal AL 07 20793715 JB 07 23091088 JD 34 01 202601 10 137 151 15 1 A01 21 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0922-1083 Latasha Holt Ph.D. Educational Curriculum and Instruction, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana, United States of America 01 eng 20 democratic schools 20 middle school 20 education 20 generational needs 20 citizenship 01 This study examines how students’ perceptions of their educational experiences have evolved over the past sixty years, offering a retrospective analysis of key shifts in the schooling environment. Data includes perceptions of overall quality of school experiences, challenges faced at school, the importance of the school environment and thoughts on the fairness of rules and policies. By centering student perspectives across multiple generations, this research provides valuable insight into the importance of improving ways educational leaders listen to student voices to improve decisions being made about curriculum, daily schedules, rules and policies, maintaining adequate facilities, socialization needs, and having access to caring teachers who offer support. This is critical to understand the long-term impacts of educational change on citizens and when informing future reforms. 202601 2026 Academicus