5th Annual Students Speak Youth Summit 2026

The 5th Annual Students Speak Youth Summit welcomed roughly 100 secondary school students from across the Commonwealth to the Harvard Law School campus. The Summit participants reflected the diversity of Students Speak statewide partnerships representing schools and youth-serving organizations from across the Commonwealth.

Throughout the day, young people who care about making schools better through elevating student voice gathered in community to work together to continue building a movement. The day kicked off with a warm welcome from the members of the Students Speak Youth Leadership Team (YLT) who brought the story of Students Speak to life through a human timeline activity highlighting what students have shared over the years about what they need to do well in school.

Summit attendees built new connections through engaging in a lively ice breaker—a hype team building activity– before diving into learning about eight policy options. Attendees had the opportunity to discuss ideas, deliberate, share their perspectives, and vote on the policy priorities they believe will create meaningful change for students across the Commonwealth.

After a passionate debate, it was time to get creative! Armed with markers, posterboards, and plenty of commitment, summit attendees designed rally posters turning their ideas into art, slogans, and powerful calls for change.

This year’s Youth Summit marks an important step in the YLT’s advocacy work. The policy priorities identified by the Summit attendees will guide the YLT as they work to draft a student voice bill—legislation that will be created by students, for students—to ensure young people’s perspectives are meaningfully reflected in decisions that shape their education.

This exciting work will continue next school year, hopefully leading to filing a bill with the legislature and get it passed into law!