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The Youth Voice priority of the YDSS department is multifaceted. One primary program centered in cultivating youth voice is the Student Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC is a year-round program that provides an opportunity for incoming 10th-12th grade students to critically research and analyze the problems currently facing °Ä²Ê youth, and organize to take action against those problems. The SAC strives to promote student voice within the district, recognizing youth as key leaders and changemakers. 

Students of the SAC program represent the vast diversity of °Ä²Ê high school youth. SAC members range from 10th to 12th grade, vary in socio-economic background, ethnicity, religion, first language, immigration status, and experience with student government. Regardless of their differences, students are united under the common cause of advocating for student voice.

There are two types of positions on the Student Advisory Council: The SAC Representative and Student Board Member. 

SAC Representatives are public leaders of the SAC who represent each of our 14 °Ä²Ê high schools. They are highly visible students that work to ensure youth input and participation in °Ä²Ê decision-making processes. The Student Board member serves as the public representative of the entire °Ä²Ê student body. The Student Board Member has the largest and highest profile set of responsibilities of all the SAC.

At the end of each program year, the SAC presents its research and initiatives to the Board of Education, advocating for policy change that directly affects all °Ä²Ê high school students.

Past initiatives include:

-Sexual Harassment and Dress Code

-Technology and College Prep Opportunity Equity

-Ethnic Studies as a Graduation Requirement

The SAC is a highly effective, youth-led, vehicle for organic student advocacy.