Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a student-led movement demonstrating youth visibility in educational policymaking, delivered a “Student Bill of Rights” to more than 1,200 Texas policymakers one week prior to Opening Day of the Texas Legislature. The organization was founded by Katy ISD graduate Cameron Samuels. The declaration was crafted with the participation of more than 100 Texas students from various grade levels, backgrounds, lived experiences, identities, and political perspectives, according to the January 7 press release.

“This Bill of Rights was crafted by the SEAT Roundtable Collective in Aug. 2024 - Jan. 2025 as a declaration for students, by students,” says the preamble to the document.” We deserve a seat at the table.”

SEAT's Bill of Rights declares that students deserve:

· Agency to make decisions in education

· High quality public education for all

· Safe and welcoming school environments conducive to growth

· Freedom of expression in a pluralistic, multicultural democracy

· Holistic student care to support health and well-being

· Truthful, critical, and substantive curriculum

· To be leaders of today, not only of tomorrow

· Streamlined and personalized pathways for lifelong learning

The document may be viewed in its entirety at docs.google.com/document/d/1rKG5jaTossrgm6UtI42c7NuhjXF8WYfhVX7Om1AJyAM/edit?tab=t.0.

“The Student Bill of Rights represents a moment where we, as students, are asserting our fundamental right to have a seat at the table,” said Grace Ding (she/her), SEAT Research Director and Katy ISD student. “Student voices have been silenced far too long in decisions affecting our educational realities. Our declaration is the product of diverse student perspectives across Texas coming together to envision a future that serves all of us.”

SEAT is gearing up for the Texas Legislature and incoming federal administration. Over two years, the movement has introduced legislation, published editorials, delivered testimony, and filed legal action to advance student rights in Texas. SEAT has supported youth mental health, transgender justice, Ethnic Studies curriculum, and closing Texas’ five remaining youth prisons.

With what they view as potentially discriminatory policies on the docket, including book bans and mandates for displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms, SEAT organizers remain committed to elevating student voice in policymaking and dismantling oppressive power structures.

“Our Student Bill of Rights ensures students are centermost in scholastic decision-making,” said Emeriek Moreno (he/him), SEAT Engagement Director and University of Texas at Austin student. “No matter students' backgrounds, public education must share knowledge and strength to ensure equity is shared amongst us.”

“We know firsthand where the faults in our education are because we see them every day. We can envision what an ideal education system can look like,” said Hayden Cohen (they/them), SEAT State Policy Director and university student in Houston. “This legislative session will be an uphill battle for students. We are telling the people who represent us, our legislators, that we're not staying silent in any fight. We will harness our collective power.”

For more information on SEAT, visit studentsengaged.org.