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Dear America’s Promise community,

From school disruptions due to COVID-19 to widespread calls for racial justice, young people have been deeply affected by the changes and uncertainty of this year. As a college student, I have experienced many of these changes firsthand and have seen the ways in which decision-makers do—and don’t—take students’ perspectives into consideration.

As a youth Trustee at America’s Promise over the last two years, I have come to learn how meaningful our voices can be in conversations about the programs and policies that directly affect us. As we move past a contentious election and into a new year, the perspectives and experiences of young people—how they feel, how they learn, and what they need—can and must inform the decisions of current and newly elected leaders at the school, district, community, and state levels.

In August, America’s Promise and The 74 co-hosted a youth town hall about the return to school in the era of COVID-19 ([link removed]) with the support of Pure Edge, Inc. I was shocked to learn that the majority of the students present said their schools had not considered their opinions on the matter.

Now, as a follow-up to the town hall, we are pleased to announce the launch of Dear Adult Leaders: #ListenToYouth—a four-week series of open letters from high school students to decision-makers in their states and communities. The letters call for specific actions to address issues that arose from the town hall as top-of-mind for young people:

addressing topics of race and racism in schools;

opportunities to have a voice in decision-making;

mental and emotional wellbeing; and

access to meaningful and relevant learning opportunities.

Above all else, though, one call to action was abundantly clear: young people want decision-makers to take their ideas and experiences into consideration. Not only because it’s the right thing to do—it’s also the smart thing to do.

At the link below, you can read my introduction to the series, along with the letters written on this week’s topic: how to address the issue of race and racism in schools and communities. From instituting curriculum changes to offering  more support for teachers, the authors of these letters recognize that the time is overdue to intentionally include young people in these conversations. Over the next few weeks, these and other ideas should guide all of us in examining the priorities of the youth-supporting sector and the ways in which systems, policies, and practices can better meet the needs of each and every student during this unprecedented time.

EXPLORE THE LETTERS ([link removed])

We hope you’ll bookmark AmericasPromise.org/ListenToYouth ([link removed]) and The74Million.org/ListenToYouth ([link removed]) and follow the hashtag #ListenToYouth ([link removed]) to stay up-to-date on young people’s letters throughout the month.

In solidarity,

Gabe Abdellatif
Former Trustee, America’s Promise Alliance

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