Student Blog

Our interns and staff’s first-hand accounts of the issues public school students face today. This space is for students’ voices, personal experiences, and grievances about the public school system to be heard. Read their takes on class sizes, teacher diversity, mental health programs and so much more!

Madeline Cook 2/28/22 Madeline Cook 2/28/22

An Underfunded Mock Trial Team

Read more to learn about Tania’s experience with the lack of funding for her high school Mock Trial Team.

Madeline Cook 2/28/22 Madeline Cook 2/28/22

More Funding Needed for ESL Learners

Read more to learn about Esther’s experience with the lack of support for ESL programs in public schools.

Madeline Cook 2/11/22 Madeline Cook 2/11/22

How have school buses or lack thereof affected me in high school?

Read more to learn about Tania’s experience with the lack of school bus access during her time in high school.

Madeline Cook 1/28/22 Madeline Cook 1/28/22

Two Schools, Two Experiences

Read about how Naria’s experience in two different public schools has taught her the real difference a fully funded education can make!

Madeline Cook 12/7/21 Madeline Cook 12/7/21

Arts Education within Public Schools

Read more to learn about Jamyeʻs art education experience within her public school.

Madeline Cook 11/16/21 Madeline Cook 11/16/21

The Importance of Engaging in Local Politics: A Hawaiʻi Perspective

Read here to learn about why Jamye believes young people should be engaged in their local politics by relating it to her experience in Hawaiʻi

Madeline Cook 11/12/21 Madeline Cook 11/12/21

Just Act! Youth Apathy Cannot Continue.

Read more about why Caillou sees it as critical that young people become engaged in local politics.

Madeline Cook 10/28/21 Madeline Cook 10/28/21

Mental Health Services in Public Schools

Read about Jamye’s excitement on seeing mental health services implemented into our public schools when our education system is fully funded.

Madeline Cook 10/28/21 Madeline Cook 10/28/21

California Schools Need College and Career Services

Read more about why Caillou believes college and career centers are a vital resource for every student.

Madeline Cook 10/28/21 Madeline Cook 10/28/21

Civic Engagement Is Learned, So Why Aren’t All Schools Teaching It

Read more about why Caillou thinks a well-funded civics class is so important to encourage political engagement in kids’ futures.

Madeline Cook 10/19/21 Madeline Cook 10/19/21

The Influence of the Amazing Mrs. Napier

Read about Jamye’s favorite public school teacher who influenced her life back then and till today.

Madeline Cook 10/8/21 Madeline Cook 10/8/21

Extracurriculars are No Longer Extra

In today’s competitive environment, it is not enough for students to have an amazing report card. Extracurriculars are now a requirement for college applications. Read about why we need to start funding extracurricular activities.

Madeline Cook 10/5/21 Madeline Cook 10/5/21

The Importance of School Lunches

Read more about Jamye’s story on observing the distinct differences between provided school lunch meals when transitioning from public to private school.

Madeline Cook 9/28/21 Madeline Cook 9/28/21

My Story: The Transition from Public to Private School

Read more about Jamye’s experience on growing up attending public school and transitioning to private school for her high school years.

Madeline Cook 9/24/21 Madeline Cook 9/24/21

My Story: A Teacher’s Son in East Bay Schools

Read more about Caillou’s story and his experiences learning about the underfunded school system through the eyes of a student and the eyes of an adult teacher.

Madeline Cook 8/26/21 Madeline Cook 8/26/21

The Luxury of Time and Energy: Why Youth Engagement in Politics is Sparce

Why are kids so uninvolved in politics? It is their future after all… Read more to see Davina’s take and why we need to encourage them to get involved soon!