Embedded Files
¿Prefiere leer este sitio en español u otro idioma? / Prefer to read this site in Spanish or another language?
Use la función de traducción automática de su navegador para ver el contenido en su idioma. Por ejemplo, en Chrome, haga clic derecho en la página y seleccione “Traducir al español” en una computadora, o use el menú de opciones en su teléfono, para ver el contenido en su idioma. / Use your browser’s built-in translation feature . For example, in Chrome, right-click on the page and select “Translate to Spanish” on a computer, or use the options menu on your phone, to view the content in your language.
What is Student Voice?
Every student has a voice - but what does that mean?
Student voice is any expression of any learner anywhere, anytime about schools, education, resources or learning.
"This can include, but isn’t limited to, active or passive participation, knowledge, voting, wisdom, activism, beliefs, service, opinions, leadership, and ideas. Student Voice reflects identity, and comes from a person’s experiences, ideals, and knowledge. Student voice is the individual and collective perspective and actions of young people within the context of learning and education"
Curious what happens when student voices take the lead? Experience some of the magic of the 2025 Student Voice Summit in this video!
30 sec STUDENT SUMMIT ESD MAY 2025.mp4Lane ESD is committed to centering student voice in the decisions that impact them - in our own programming, agency, and in our support of our partner districts across Lane County.
Lane ESD is committed to centering student voice in the decisions that impact them - in our own programming, agency, and in our support of our partner districts across Lane County.
We do this through a variety of offerings, partnerships, and invitations - all in partnership with young people in buildings and alongside our Lane ESD Student Design Team.
We do this through a variety of offerings, partnerships, and invitations - all in partnership with young people in buildings and alongside our Lane ESD Student Design Team.
Lane ESD provides direct support for districts, schools, educators, staff, and students in the development, facilitation, and sustaining of meaningful student engagement and efforts to center student voice.
What is Lane ESD?
What is Lane ESD?
Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD) is a regional support agency that works in partnership with 16 school districts across Lane County to ensure all students have access to high-quality, equitable, and inclusive educational experiences. We provide support in areas such as special education, instructional services, technology, and equity-centered leadership.
At Lane ESD, we believe that students are experts in their own experiences — and that their voices are essential in shaping the systems, policies, and practices that affect them. Guided by our Board-Adopted Equity Lens and Agency Equity Commitments, we prioritize creating spaces where student voice is not only heard but acted upon.
We are committed to fostering environments where students — especially those from communities who have been historically and systemically marginalized — can lead, influence change, and co-create more just, inclusive schools and communities.
What Does Our Work Look Like?
What Does Our Work Look Like?
Lane ESD Student Voice is a youth-led initiative that uplifts the leadership, creativity, and insight of students across Lane County. Our mission is to center student identity, agency, wellness, and belonging in schools—because when students are seen, heard, and empowered, schools become more responsive, inclusive, and safer.
How We Started
The Student Voice Design Team began in 2021 with an invitation to create a student panel to provide insights and direction for educators advising affinity spaces. The questions were simple: What do you want educators to know about your experience?
What started as a small group of students coming together reflecting on school climate and belonging has grown into a vibrant, countywide network of youth leaders, educators, and community partners working together to transform systems from the inside out.
What We Do
Lane ESD Student Voice is made up of projects and spaces where students lead real change. Our projects are dreamed up and led by our student voice leadership and design teams:
Student Voice Network (which we call ROOTS) – A group of students from across the county who meet quarterly, shape priorities, and co-create events, guides, and resources.
Student Voice Design Team (our Leadership Team which we call SHOOTS & Blooms) – This is a crew of students who have previously served at least a year on the Design Team (Roots crew), who now mentor other student leaders, create & co-lead educator trainings, design resources, conduct research, and lead projects like the Between Classrooms podcast.
These groups (supported by Lane ESD Student Voice & Engagement Specialist) focus on projects and priorities that support student engagement, belonging and connection, and wellness, including:
The Annual Student Voice Summit – Heading into our 3rd year, this summit brings together more than 300 students from high schools across Lane County together for a powerful day of connection, student-led learning, and action planning. Designed and facilitated by the Student Voice Design Team, the summit features workshops, performances, art, and community-building activities focused on skills students want to build, resources students want to access, and that center student experiences and vision. The summit affirms what students know to be true: We are already leading.
Between Classrooms Podcast – A youth-produced podcast inviting honest conversations about school, identity, community, and change. Between Classrooms uplifts student narratives that are too often overlooked in educational spaces and sparks dialogue that bridges generations and experiences.
Q.U.A.C. (Queers Unified, Acting for Community) – In 2024, Lane ESD Student Voice received a 4-year grant from ODE to support the success, wellness, and belonging of LGBTQ2SIA+ students across Lane County. Guided by student voice and leadership, this initiative was renamed Q.U.A.C. by students — a name that reflects the boldness, joy, and community power behind the work. Led by Queer Eugene, Q.U.A.C. connects culturally rooted resources to schools and is built with a deep commitment to the sustainability and long-term impact of building level supports.
CoLab: Youth Action Research Lab (University of Oregon) – CoLab is a collaborative space for youth-led inquiry, design, and action — a partnership between Lane ESD Student Voice and the Oregon Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) at the University of Oregon, led by Dr. Mariah Kornbluh. The lab engages high school students in real-world research and social change, while also building pathways into the social sciences. UO undergraduate and graduate students participate as mentors and co-researchers, gaining experience in community-rooted research with real impact.
Affinity Advisory Community of Practice - Moving into its 3rd year, this educator-requested series brings together advisors and educators in Lane County who support student affinity spaces. Led by student facilitation and feedback, these sessions focus on supporting student voice and leadership within affinity spaces, and in doing so creating sustainable, culturally responsive, and identity-affirming spaces.
Student-Created Resources – From affinity group guides to links to trusted mental health supports, students are building tools for peers and educators. Created by students for schools — these resources are used by students, educators, and administrators across Lane County to shift culture, practice, and policy toward meaningful student engagement.
What We Are Fighting For
What We Are Fighting For
At Lane ESD Student Voice, we are guided by what students tell us they need — and by their bold, collective vision for justice, belonging, and transformation in schools. Across events, summits, podcasts, and conversations, students have made their priorities clear:
At Lane ESD Student Voice, we are guided by what students tell us they need — and by their bold, collective vision for justice, belonging, and transformation in schools. Across events, summits, podcasts, and conversations, students have made their priorities clear:
Safe, Inclusive Schools
Students want to learn in environments where they are seen, respected, and protected — not judged, harassed, or made invisible. Feeling unsafe or unwelcome impacts their attendance, mental health, and ability to fully show up.Mental Health & Wellness
Students are facing rising levels of stress, burnout, and emotional overwhelm. They are calling for access to mental health support in schools and for adults to be more aware of culturally specific, identity-affirming resources in the community.Acknowledgement of Real-World Struggles
From racism and immigration challenges to poverty, addiction, and transphobia — students want adults to understand that learning doesn’t happen in isolation. Their experiences and identities matter and must be part of how we build and support schools.Meaningful Voice & Action
Students are not asking for tokenism — they are asking for real voice in decisions that affect them. They want adults to stand up to hate, create inclusive spaces, and work alongside them to make schools better for everyone.
Read more on our Lead with Students Page
Contact Us!
Contact Us!
Follow our work, explore our resources, and hear directly from students on our podcast and events pages.
Follow our work, explore our resources, and hear directly from students on our podcast and events pages.
SV Instagram Between Classrooms Instagram
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse