What We Do
Our Mission
We are young people co-creating more just, democratic Kentucky schools and communities as education research, policy, and storytelling partners.
Researching the Possibilities
We spent a year researching and then pitching a proposal to the Prichard Committee to engage students as education advocacy partners.
Making the Case & Building Capacity
We promoted the value of student voice in Kentucky and developed a community and culture of support around it.
Amplifying Student Voice on Climate & College
We trained and supported students as school improvement partners, conducted school climate audits, listened to students about college affordability & access barriers.
Mobilizing Around School Safety
Rallied students to advocate for more school counselors in the wake of school shootings in Marshall County, Kentucky & Parkland, Florida
Informing on Covid-19
We created the Coping with COVID-19 Student-to-Student Survey, which reached almost 10,000 students in all 120 counties during the early months of the pandemic and released a report, which was later published in a scientific journal.
Advancing Youth Agency
We became an independent youth-led nonprofit and successfully advocated for the permanent inclusion of student and teacher seats on the Kentucky Board of Education.
Democratizing Education Research & Reporting
We led a statewide study of students on race, ethnicity and belonging in school and launched The New Edu education journalism site.
a few things we're proud of
Some of our Accomplishments
CHANGED LAW
Made Kentucky colleges more affordable for 8,000 low-income students with our “Powerball Promise” campaign
WROTE BOOK
Solicited stories from thousands of Kentucky students about college affordability leading to the publication of a book, Ready Or Not: Stories From the Students Behind the Statistics
LAUNCHED SITE
Launched the first youth-run education newsroom in Kentucky, The New Edu, centering student perspectives within Kentucky’s education system
made space
Advocated for the inclusion of student representatives on the Kentucky Board of Education, district school boards, and School Based Decision Making Councils
Leadership Team
Adult allies and students partner to support youth-led work as an intergenerational team.
Isabella Edghill
Audrey Gilbert
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Luisa Sanchez
Arivumani Srivastava
Cumulative Donors
*Donor list includes cumulative amounts since the Kentucky Student Voice Team became independent in January 2021.
The Kentucky Student Voice Team is honored to be fiscally sponsored by the Blue Grass Community Foundation.
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