On March 7, 2025, the DC Special Education Cooperative (the Co-op) successfully brought together educators and school leaders from 28 local charter school districts at the ELEVATE Conference 2025: Using Student Voice Data to Improve Instruction. This year’s theme underscored our commitment to ensuring that students, especially those with disabilities, are heard and valued in shaping their own educational experiences.
A Conference Centering Student Perspectives
The day began with building a shared understanding of how student voice data can drive improvements in student outcomes. Attendees then engaged in collaborative discussions and school presentations from DC Bilingual PCS, BASIS DC PCS, and Washington Leadership Academy PCS, each showcasing their efforts to integrate student feedback into instructional practices.
One of the most impactful moments of the conference was the Guided Planning Session, where participants developed actionable strategies for gathering and using student voice data to improve teaching and learning tailored to their unique school environments.
Bringing Student Voice to the Forefront
The Co-op’s focus on student voice extends beyond the ELEVATE Conference. Research has consistently shown that when students feel heard, they are more engaged, motivated, and successful in school. According to the Quaglia Institute for School Voice and Aspirations (2016), students who believe they have a voice are seven times more likely to be academically motivated than those who do not. For students with disabilities, this empowerment is particularly crucial, as they are often marginalized in decision-making about their own education (Franklin & Sloper, 2009).
By centering student perspectives, educators can create classrooms that are more inclusive and responsive to diverse learning needs. Providing opportunities for students with disabilities to share their experiences not only fosters self-advocacy but also helps teachers tailor their instructional strategies to better support learning differences. When schools commit to listening and acting on student feedback, they see tangible improvements in school climate, attendance, and academic achievement.
“Using student voice data not only has helped to improve my instruction but has also contributed to a stronger school culture.” – Lyndsy C., DC Bilingual Teacher
A Lasting Impact on DC Schools
The Co-op’s efforts are already making a measurable difference. Schools that integrated student feedback into instructional planning have reported improved student engagement, increases in student achievement, and higher levels of satisfaction with their teachers.
As the Co-op continues this work, the ELEVATE Conference served as a pivotal moment for educators to come together, learn from each other, and commit to making student voice a driving force in education. When asked what they found most helpful about the conference, one participant shared, “networking with other teachers, hearing real strategies that have been implemented, seeing data, being in a room with so many inspiring people.”
With the success of ELEVATE 2025, the Co-op looks forward to further strengthening student voice initiatives and shaping the future of inclusive education in DC.