Student Activism
Learn more about students trying to make changes through advocacy or protest at their school or district, or at the state or national level
Reading & Literacy
What Happened When Students Led Fights to Reverse Book Bans
The stories of two student groups that found success in organizing to fight district book bans.
Equity & Diversity
Meet the High School Student Helping Her City Study Reparations for Black Residents
In Kansas City, Mo., 17-year-old Madison Lyman serves on a 13-member commission studying reparations for Black residents.
School & District Management
School Shooting Survivors at Odds With District Over Graduation Cords
Oxford graduating seniors want to wear special orange gun violence survivor cords at commencement. But the district says no.
School Climate & Safety
Video
Students Want to Feel Safe at School. Here’s What They’re Asking For
Students across the country worry school shootings are becoming routine. So they're walking out of school for "common sense" gun laws.
Federal
Student Activists Push Congress for Action on Climate Change Education
Student activists collaborated to write a pair of U.S. House resolutions on climate change.
Budget & Finance
Q&A
How Fair School Funding Became the Unlikely Topic for a Student Podcast
Three students hosted a weekly podcast as their district and others fought against a funding formula they said shortchanged poorer schools.
Future of Work
In Their Own Words
From Monsoons to Hurricane Sandy: A Student’s Personal Journey From Activist to Scientist
Without formal instruction on climate change in school, Aryaana Khan struggled to make sense of the natural disasters she experienced.
Social Studies
Gen Z Has a Passion for Political Activism. Schools Can Nurture It
Gen Z continues to have a higher voter turnout than other young generations and schools can foster that civic interest.
Student Well-Being
A Pandemic Pause, Then an Advocacy Renaissance for Teen Climate Change Activists
The nature of student activism has changed since the pandemic. But teens are still pushing for climate change solutions.
Student Well-Being
Students Have Ideas to Address Mental Health Challenges. They Want to Be Heard
Students have solutions that can help teachers and school leaders support youth dealing with stress, anxiety, and other issues.
School Climate & Safety
Q&A
How a Student's Push to End Paddling in Schools Became a Yearslong Civics Lesson
A student advocate pushed to end corporal punishment in his state—and gained a passion for civic involvement in the process.
School & District Management
Video
How a High School Student Became a School Board Member
This high school senior in Idaho beat out an incumbent to become his city's first student school board member. Here's how.
Equity & Diversity
Why a Trans Student and Her Mom Are Fighting Their District's Anti-LGBTQ Policies
Lily Freeman and her mother, Mindy Freeman, are working to stem a slew of anti-LGBTQ policies and directives issued in Central Bucks County, Pa.
School & District Management
Q&A
An Idaho Student Won a School Board Seat. He Has a Message for Students Everywhere
Shiva Rajbhandari defeated an incumbent candidate this September on a platform for student voice.