Through Their Eyes: Students of Color Shaping Educational Policy

For these inspired youths, their voices have become a vehicle for progress, and as they sharpen their voices, increasing numbers of community members, educators, and policy makers are starting to listen. While this course is already underway, additional funding is needed to catalyze their efforts and provide forums for critical voice around educational policy. With additional funding, students will identify and initiate contact with state policy makers (including continuing conversations with already-engaged city and county legislators) and conduct a half-day workshop. This legislative workshop will center on statewide policies including the California High School Exit Exam and access to college preparatory curriculum. Additional funding will provide two digital cameras, editing software, and transportation to the Sacramento-based workshops. This is not only an investment in a class of student, but an investment in their future, and the future of student-initiated policy-level conversations. By funding this project, Do Something will be providing further space for students to inspire us all to see through their eyes. But perhaps more directly, this project will allow traditionally excluded students opportunities to demonstrate their public voice by shaping educational policy that impacts all of California’s youth. The course is being facilitated by InnerWorks – a nonprofit organization dedicated to local educational improvement in South and West Berkeley.