Your school owes you. Prove they're letting you down.
That'll give you the leverage you need to change the system
The "student information system" market is worth $10.2 billion... why?
Your data—grades, attendance, emotions, anything that could be in a survey—is valuable because it's used to fund schools, rate schools, and promote or fire teachers and administrators.
Schools pay education technology companies millions: NYC schools pay $10.5 million to a company that runs surveys and organizes the results.
They need all this because their info is disorganized and super hard to use, even with these expensive services.
Many of these companies then sell your data to other companies, making money off you.
Unproductive classes can be way less boring
Broke: "UGH THIS CLASS IS SO BORING." *takes out phone during class, complains to everyone during lunch*
Yoked: *tracks what % of class time is productive on phone and shows data to the teacher*
When you show your teacher that you timed how much class time you spent learning, and when that number is... low, your teacher has to take you seriously.
That's your chance to ask for different material, different types of teaching (less lecture!), more breaks, or just showing that they care.
Example: (send this anonymously here)
Hi [teacher’s name],
I've been anxious about sending this email - I'm afraid to come off as rude or judgemental - so thank you for taking the time to read.
I’ve been feeling [stressed/frustrated/tired] in class, and I’m sorry if that’s come off as disrespectful. I want to find a way for both of us to have a better time in class.
One thing that might make class more engaging and help me focus is [solving your problem with class, like "if class was less lecture-based" or "if I could take longer breaks"]. I think there’s space for this in the class: yesterday [or whenever you timed class] I tracked how much time most students spent focused in class and got [your time, like “35%” or “40 minutes”].
I’m struggling to stay engaged for any longer than that, but I see that as an opportunity. I can commit to being an incredible student for that amount of time, or even longer, if you help me get there.
I’m open to your feedback on what I can change, too!
Regards,
[Your name]
Not sure what's wrong with class, or don't think there's anything you could change? Check out this page for strict teachers and this page for nice ones, and this page for an example of changing curriculum and bad policy.
Data is the first step to everything from making lunch edible to statewide policy change
Collecting data can get you better school lunches, get cleaner bathrooms, or help bring back naptime.
In Illinois, students got a law passed that ended Zero Tolerance, a racist policy that suspended and expelled students for insubordination, by first fighting for the state congress to collect data on suspension rates by race.
Data is the first step to half our Doorstops!
Find a problem → Collect Data → Use it to pitch a solution
Hold your school accountable with simple surveys
Find statements your schools made about improving school. These statements always use the phrase "we're taking steps to..." on important changes. Google this:
[your school's name] "taking steps" after:2019
No results? try:
[your school's name] "taking steps" after:2019 filetype:pdf
Are they following through on these promises? If not, you've found leverage you can bring to the negotiating table with administrators.
Example: a teacher harasses you for your identity
The school promised it was "taking steps to make sure LGBTQ+ youth have safe spaces at school" in its October press release.
I hope to hold the school accountable for this promise, as I have not seen changes since it was made.
20% of LGBTQ students I surveyed felt this promise had not been upheld. 75% voiced the desire for a dedicated classroom they can go to when they feel uncomfortable in class.
We suggest the library, as it is already a quiet space with study rooms that are rarely used.
Keys:
don't say "you did..." say "the school did..." You'll come off less confrontational.
Lead with the big numbers. Don't say "We surveyed X students on Tuesday the 21st, then analyzed the data..." Get to it.
Here's a template:
The school promised it was [quote the source: "taking steps to..."] in its [name of source].
I hope to hold the school accountable to this promise, as [I/my friends] have [not seen changes // describe specific negative experiences]
[If you collected survey data, pitch it fast here.]
We suggest [solution/change - doesn't have to be a big, complicated idea, but it can be!]
Collecting data is easy. Send out a survey or ask people in the halls for a quick yes/no. Make sure to get at least 20-30 responses, and the more you get, the better.
Don't just show data to your principal. Share it with the community: parents, teachers, and even school board members can be your biggest supporters, and you'll need them to make change. We're always here to help! Email us at ben@fix.school with questions or DM us on IG.
Join thousands of students nationwide building *pristine* data
We're doing a nationwide experiment on learning time (send us your numbers!). On average, less than 50% of class time is spent learning.
Join in, then use our dataset to change your school. Stay tuned for a guide to making claims like:
"We are below average for learning time compared to similar schools, and I think it's because [problem]. What if instead we tried [solution]?"
Filled in Example:
"We are below average for learning time compared to similar schools, and I think it's because lectures are scripted. What if instead we tried having teachers write their own lesson plans, maybe collaborating with former students? We could try it for one week of classes next month and see if learning time improves!"