Students are the primary stakeholders in education, but we are often excluded from decision-making impacting us most directly. We brought a seat to the table with #SEAT26 Advocacy Day, our fourth statewide convening of students across Texas –– with attendees from Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, San Antonio, Waco, and Washington, DC.
Across two days of panels, workshops, and community-building sessions, participants explored urgent topics shaping the future of Texas schools, including youth representation, book bans, diversity, equity and inclusion, student mental health, school safety, and digital surveillance. The gathering encouraged attendees to create actionable strategies for change, underscoring an emphasis on collaboration between students and policymakers.
“SEAT Advocacy Day embodies the diversity of Texas across geography, lived experiences, and policy areas of interest,” said Christianna Thomas, SEAT Programs Director. “By convening hundreds of students each year, we are proving that Texas’ youngest generation is ready to take the lead on shaping policy. We are ready for our seat at the table today, not just tomorrow.”
#SEAT26 was Sponsored By:
- Texas AFT
- American Federation of Teachers
- Americans United for Separation of Church and State
- Penguin Random House
- Democracy Forward
- RISE Action Fund
- Soman Chainani (author of Young World)
Read the official press release here.
“Young people are not just the subjects of school law and policy — they are experts in their own experiences and essential partners in shaping solutions,” said plenary presenter Paige Duggins-Clay of IDRA. “Youth-informed advocacy isn’t optional — it’s fundamental to creating safe, affirming schools. By centering student voices, SEAT is helping Texas move closer to an education system grounded in justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.”
“The goal of education is to give every student the best chance at a bright future,” said Sen. Taylor Rehmet, who represents the district where #SEAT26 was held. “But too often, the very people who know what students need most — the students themselves — are left without a seat at the table. Moving Texas education forward means embracing people-powered policies that uplift student voices and ensure young people can shape an education system that truly works for them.”
In April 2025, SEAT hosted its third annual SEAT Advocacy Day at the Texas Capitol with 300+ students and community members. Roughly half of the students had never been to their state capitol before #SEAT25. With intergenerational collaboration, participants learned about policy priorities and effective storytelling before meeting directly with lawmakers to advocate for education equity and issues that matter to youth. We can't wait to do it again in 2027.
