Submitted By: Dr. Kyra Caldwell Templeton, Program Director of Student Engagement & Co-Advisor of the Student Advisory Council (SAC)
Members of the APS Student Advisory Council (SAC), joined by GO Teams and the Learn 4 Life Youth Council, recently participated in Students At the Capitol, an immersive civic engagement experience aligned with Georgia’s Crossover Day. One of the most critical milestones of the legislative session, Crossover Day marks the final opportunity for bills to move from one chamber to the other, making it a pivotal moment in shaping policy outcomes across the state.
From Preparation to Policy in Action
Prior to the visit, participants engaged in a virtual legislative briefing where they explored key policy topics including school funding, literacy initiatives, and the broader structure of the Georgia General Assembly. Students examined how decisions around property taxes, funding formulas, and teacher recruitment policies directly impact classrooms, staffing, and student experiences across APS. Erica Long, APS lobbyist, founder of the Strategic Policy Group, and former Chief of Policy for the district, facilitated a virtual session and led an in-person immersion.
This preparation ensured that when students arrived at the Georgia State Capitol, they were not just observers, they were informed participants ready to engage.
Inside the Capitol: Witnessing Democracy in Real Time
During the in-person immersion, SAC and GO Teams members observed live legislative debates, tracked active bills, and engaged directly with lawmakers. Students witnessed first-hand the pace, complexity, and urgency required to move legislation forward during Crossover Day.
Throughout the experience, students followed key education-related legislation, gaining insight into how decisions are debated, amended, and advanced in real time. This opportunity to witness the legislative process brought to life the direct connection between policy and practice in schools.
Elevating Student Voice in Policy Conversations
A defining moment of the experience came through direct dialogue between students and elected officials, including Georgia State Rep. Derrick Jackson. Students engaged in meaningful conversation about improving education systems, expanding access to opportunity, and ensuring stronger support for those who serve students every day.
“During our visit to the Georgia State Capitol, we spoke with Mr. Jackson about issues related to the education system in Georgia. Much of the conversation focused on improving schools and supporting teachers,” said Anissah Baker, SAC Vice-Chair and a junior at the Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. “He shared that one of his priorities is strengthening education by making sure teachers and staff who support students are properly paid for their work.”
The conversation also surfaced real-world challenges within the education system and potential policy solutions. One woman, who shared her experience as a retired member of the military, currently supports students but is not being paid for her work. Rep. Jackson shared that people doing that type of work should be earning an annual salary of approximately $88,000.
“Representative Jackson is working toward policies that would support staff and help ensure educators receive fair compensation,” Baker noted about her conversation.
Students also gained insight into broader funding priorities and equity considerations in higher education access.
In addition, Rep. Jackson shared his goal of utilizing the state’s $16 million surplus to expand need-based scholarships for students, rather than relying solely on merit-based programs like the HOPE Scholarship. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all students—regardless of financial background—have access to postsecondary opportunities.
“I also asked how he [Rep. Jackson] gathers input from students, teachers, and parents before making decisions on education policies,” Baker said. “He explained that legislators listen to feedback from community members, educators, and local leaders to understand what schools need most. This input helps guide their decisions when they consider and vote on bills related to education.”
The conversation reinforced the importance of advocacy, transparency, and community voice in shaping effective education policy.
From Engagement to Impact
This experience underscored a critical truth: policy is not abstract—it is personal. Decisions made under the Gold Dome directly affect teacher retention, school funding, classroom resources, and student opportunity.
Students left with a deeper understanding of:
- How legislation moves through the General Assembly
- The importance of advocacy and informed dialogue
- The role of community voice in shaping equitable education policy
More importantly, they recognized their own power within that process.
Building a Pipeline of Civic Leadership
Students At the Capitol is more than a field experience—it is a strategic investment in developing student leaders who are equipped to influence systems, not just navigate them. By bridging classroom learning with real-world policy engagement, APS continues to model what authentic student voice looks like in action.
Through SAC and GO Teams, APS is not only amplifying student voice—it is embedding it into the very fabric of decision-making.
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