Home | Student Voice & Engagement | Chicago Public Schools

Located within the Office of Teaching and Learning, the Department of Student Voice & Engagement (DSVE) leads the district's inclusive and responsive education strategy that aims to ensure all aspects of schooling in CPS are inclusive of and responsive to the lived experiences of students, and includes young people as key stakeholders in making decisions that impact them.

Student Perspective and the Learning Environment

Cultivate is a student survey that gathers their perspectives on their learning experiences and overall sense of belonging in their classroom communities. Cultivate provides schools with actionable reports on student experiences that can help schools create the learning environments that research shows positively impact students’ performance and overall well-being. Learn more here.

Support Difficult Conversations with Students

Classrooms are an important place for students to feel seen, heard, and connected as they make meaning of complex events and issues. Find guidance and strategies helpful for classroom teachers across content areas:The Day After...Discourse Guide for Difficult and Controversial Topics

Our Mission

To advance student voice, engagement, inclusive & responsive practices that center students' lived experiences and strengthen youth-adult partnership among teachers, schools, networks, central office departments, and their communities.

Our Vision

To create and inspire transformational learning experiences that ignite curiosity, honor student identity and experience, promote agency, build inclusivity and partnerships that empower students to serve as critical actors in shaping the practices and policies that impact their daily school experience and future lives.

Meet the Team

Latest News and Updates

RSVP Now for SVC Summer Leadership Institute

High school students who are members of their school's Student Voice Committee are invited to participate in our district wide Student Voice Leadership Institute. Students will participate in a 2-day event focused on elevating student voice and leadership in CPS and at your school! Students will build community together and explore ways to strengthen inclusive partnerships at their schools through their SVC. The goal is for students to feel connected and empowered in bringing their learning back to take their SVC for SY24-25.

Complete the interest form here for your chance to participate.

Summer Institute Information:

Dates: July 30th & 31, 2024
Time: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Juarez High School
Deadline: Please complete the brief interest form by July 19th

EOY Student Voice Celebration

On 4/19/24 the Department of Student Voice & Engagement had our End of the Year SVC Gathering at the Chicago Cultural Center hosted by the District Student Voice Committee (DSVC). The DSVC is a collective of high school SVC students who work to advance student voice and leadership in CPS. This was a youth led event with the purpose of building community, engaging in learning and leadership development, and celebrating student voice. We had close to 150 students with representation from 23 middle and high schools in attendance!

NEW Partner Directory

Looking for an exciting partnership to enrich your classroom instruction or student-led inquiry project? Look no further! Visit the Partner Directory to connect with School Partners.