Our
Impact

“My hometown has one of the lowest graduation rates, highest crime rates, and highest rates of poverty ; but it is my home. I refuse to wait around for someone else to take action.”

Desiree Martinez, Our Turn

Our Impact

Students are advancing equity in education systems in cities across the country. Many young people are stepping into their political agency for the first time, channeling their experiences of injustice in schools into leadership that drives change.

Hover to read how Our Turn’s youth leaders have continued to deliver systems change on a national and local level over the past two years:

Students’ diligence and focus on the “Healthy Minds, Happy Schools” campaign results in Our Turn Colorado securing $1.5 million for a mental health hub designed to serve students with the highest needs.
Our Turn Los Angeles student leaders survey 150 youth and education stakeholders informing their priority issue for the coming years: Decolonize LAUSD.
Our Turn trains over 150 young people on effective organizing and advocacy tactics during the Raise Your Hand Leadership Development Boot Camp Series
Our Turn was on the front lines advocating for the effective implementation of American Rescue Plan funds. In an unprecedented step, the federal DOE required student input from all 50 states for ESSERII funds, totaling $54.3B - a major milestone in bringing "Nothing About Us, Without Us" to life.
Our Turn Minnesota student leaders advise Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) on the development of The Comprehensive District Design, equipping graduates to be successful in Academics, Social and Emotional Skills, and Career/Life Experiences.
Minnesota students led and won the campaign to end the Minneapolis Public Schools contract with the city police department.
Our Turn Colorado youth leaders secure a commitment from DSST Public Schools in Denver to have teachers and administrators receive trauma-informed care training to better serve students' mental health needs.
Our Turn’s North Carolina coalition members fight for and win policy changes to the state's credit recovery program that allows students to recover credits for failed classes.
Our Turn Los Angeles youth leaders fight for and win changes to the Los Angeles Unified School District's "School Performance Framework" - providing for better data transparency around how well L.A. schools are helping vulnerable students grow academically in a given year.
Our Student Agenda

To learn more about Our Turn’s framework to progress equity in education, see the Our Turn Student Agenda for Educational Justice.

Our Student Agenda

2021 Annual Impact Report

In 2021 we fearlessly, shamelessly, and boldly stood up and fought for what is right: education justice. We launched a national campaign to have our youth-authored Student Agenda recognized by the Department of Education, resulting in student engagement that would ultimately influence hundreds of millions of dollars in funds from the American Rescue Plan.

The LA Student Standard: A Collective Resistance

Schools are no exception to the long-standing impact of institutional racism in our country. White supremacy is in our textbooks, discipline practices, funding formulas, lower expectations, etc. Now is the time for LA Unified to lead the way in creating equitable and just school systems.

Push for More Equity in Minneapolis Schools

We’re elevating the voices of Minneapolis public school students to drive district-wide recommendations that combat inequities.

COVID-19 Student Impact Report

We conducted a survey of young people in April 2020 to understand how COVID-19 is impacting them and their educational experiences.