SHARE YOUR STORY
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SHAPE THE FUTURE
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SHARE YOUR STORY * SHAPE THE FUTURE *
A Public Education Project
USE
YOUR
VOICE!
School has historically been done TO students, rather than WITH them — isn’t it time for that to change?
Even before 2020, nearly 75% of high school students used words like tired, stressed, and bored when describing school — it’s only gotten worse.
The world is also more complex than ever before — we need schools that prepare young people to thrive in the future they’ll be a part of.
As students, you are experts in what will make school feel relevant, meaningful, and joyful — we need to ask you, and be ready to listen.
What is Student VoicED?
We know the best way to improve education is by listening to those who experience it every day. Our mission is to create a platform where students can authentically impact the local and national conversation about school.
Student VoicED invites students across the US to share their first-hand stories with each other and the adults who make decisions about education so that we can work to reshape the why, the what, and the how of school.
STUDENT
VOICED
GOALS!
Through student stories, ideas and actions, we’ll be a powerful advocate for inclusive and equitable education for all.
We’ll help protect and strengthen the role of public education as an important cornerstone of democracy.
We’ll ensure that students have a say in shaping the education system that shapes their future — together, we can create real change.
A critical moment.
Public education is under attack, and Project 2025 lays out a clear plan to strip away some of the most fundamental protections for students who need and deserve them the most. Student VoicED isn’t just about sharing stories — it’s about standing up for the future of education.
Rates of chronic absenteeism have nearly doubled since 2020, from 16% to now 30% of students.
Book banning has reached an all-time high. The American Library Association reported that 2023 had the highest number of challenged book titles ever documented.
President Trump is moving forward with his plan to dismantle the Federal Department of Education and cut federal funding for education.
Project 2025 focuses on censoring important topics in classrooms like race, gender, and systemic oppression, and these censorships would be federally mandated.
PARTICIPATE
PARTICIPATE
SHARE
YOUR
STORY!
Phase 1.
We're starting by gathering your stories. Students are invited to submit videos or written stories answering three important questions. They’ll help us uncover what’s truly happening in schools, and what students believe education should be.
Your stories will be shared here, on social media, and via news channels so you can compare your experience with students around the country, while lawmakers, school boards, and educators can make decisions that are informed by you.
STUDENT
SUMMITS!
Phase 2.
After gathering your stories, we’re bringing students together for Student Education Summits to turn ideas into action. We know that too often, students are asked to share their thoughts and nothing happens. These Summits are intended to catalyze change that comes from the brilliance of young people, with support and accountability for implementation. At the summits, students will:
⇢ Choose an area of education that you feel passionate about changing or improving
⇢ Collaborate with peers to decide the best course of action: draft a bill, write policy, design a unit, propose a new class, film a documentary, etc
⇢ Present your work to decision-makers and collaboratively design an implementation plan if your “pitch” is accepted
This summit is your chance to work with peers from across the country, amplify your voice, and take direct action to improve education for all students.
SHAPE THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
SHAPE THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION
Hi, I’m Abby Benedetto (she/her)! I’ve spent my career as a teacher, coach, and education designer, helping schools become places where students feel valued and excited to learn. I work hard to create learning experiences that are meaningful, inclusive, and focused on helping young people thrive. I believe students should have a voice in shaping the future of education because no one knows school better than the young people who attend them every day.
Stay tuned - I'm collaborating with amazing students in order to make this project happen, and I can’t wait to also introduce them!
WHO
ARE WE?
SPREAD
THE
WORD!
Share your story, recruit your friends, attend a summit! This is your chance to help build a movement that pushes for a better, more inclusive vision of education.
FREE CURRICULUM GUIDE
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FREE CURRICULUM GUIDE ▾
For educators.
This custom curriculum guide and companion slides were created to inform, inspire, and invite students to be active and vital participants in the national conversation about the current state of education. We hope any educator will find this lessen accessible and meaningful if you choose to integrate it into your content area, advisory structure, or student activity.
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Designed for students in grades 6 - 12, but can be modified for younger students — we’re happy to help you with this
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An engaging lesson with 3 time length options: 30, 45, or 60 minutes — we’re happy to provide additional materials as desired
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We can provide in-person facilitation of the lesson to classrooms in the Bay Area, and train students to be facilitators of the lesson
