The Purpose

Student voice in education has become a growing movement that affords students the opportunity to play an active role in planning and leading their learning experiences, as well as contributing to the development of school practices and policies. AACPS values the opinions, beliefs, and perspectives of our students and is dedicated to honoring their voices so that we can provide educational experiences that are safe and equitable for all. The primary purpose of the AACPS Student Equity Advisory Team (S.E.A.T.) is to demonstrate and implement a commitment to ensuring that student stakeholders “have a seat at the table” where they can listen, share, define and influence without retribution. We acknowledge that acting on student preferences, interests, and perspectives helps them feel invested in their community and can ignite passions that will last a lifetime. Therefore, AACPS wants its student body to not just have a S.E.A.T., but to have a voice.

Program Description

S.E.A.T. is a diverse and inclusive body of student representatives from grades 8 – 12 in Anne Arundel County Public Schools. Through personal and professional development activities, students exercise their agency and advocacy towards raising awareness about equitable expectations and practices within the AACPS system.
 
Membership in S.E.A.T. offers a multi-tiered range of learning opportunities intended to help students assess, address, and facilitate discussions around issues of equity and social justice to enact meaningful change. These student partners will give voice and vision to how we can build and sustain bias-free environments that are inclusive for all. S.E.A.T. is made up of S.E.A.T. Ambassadors and the S.E.A.T. Representatives, which are both selected by their school administration. Each participating school will select 1 Ambassador and up to 4 Representatives.

Through monthly Ambassador meetings and quarterly representative meetings, S.E.A.T. members offer their perspectives and experiences, receive professional development, and work collaboratively to design sustainable solutions that are aligned with their needs.

OEASA has designed Project Unity to create inclusive schools, celebrate the uniqueness of our staff and students, and take a stand against bullying. On four identified Unity Days, students participate in lessons on Social Justice revolving around the standards of Identity, Diversity, Justice, and Action. Staff, students, and the community are encouraged to wear the color orange as a symbol of unity. This year, our Unity Days are October 20th, December 8th, February 9th, and March 30th. Beyond those four identified days, students and schools will use the Social Justice Standards to work towards making schools a more equitable, just, and inclusive space.

Community Ambassadors are staff members who provide additional academic, emotional, and social support to identified students, promote the development of positive relationships between administrators, educators, support staff, and families to strengthen the Home-School Connection. Community Ambassadors work in schools alongside teachers, faculty and staff in Annapolis, Glen Burnie, North County, Chesapeake, and Meade High Schools.

The AACPS Pride Alliance is a space for LGBTQ+ students and allies that aims to create a safe, welcoming, and accepting school environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Pride Alliance aims to meet quarterly to educate, empower, and engage students from middle and high schools across the county.

Let's Talk Justice has been created as a forum for students to discuss racism and social  justice in the wake of the brutal death of George Floyd. Beginning with a student led planning committee, the vision of Let’s Talk Justice quickly developed into a place where students will be able to have a voice about various social issues and injustices.

In Part One of this series, students discuss the impact of race and racism in schools and society.

In Part Two of this series, students discuss topics and issues related to the LGBTQ+ Community.

In Part Three of this series, students discuss racism in athletics.

In Part Four of this series, students discuss Women's Rights.