Prince William student leaders present countywide Student Bill of Rights; board to fold it into code of behavior

Student senators from across Prince William County presented a Student Bill of Rights to the Prince William County School Board on May 7, urging the board to adopt the student-developed document and asking that it be codified in the division’s Code of Behavior.

The bill, drafted over two years and informed by student voice committees at every middle and high school, “represents a significant achievement in student advocacy and collaboration,” Associate Superintendent Stephanie Sullivan told the board as she introduced the student presenters.

Shivani Davis, a student senator from Patriot High School, said the document was created “for students and by students,” and that the senate used repeated stakeholder feedback cycles and a criteria tool to select rights that would be equitable and implementable across the division. “This bill of rights is more than just words on a page. It's a commitment to amplifying student voice and are advocating for the rights needs and perspectives of every student in our community,” Davis said.

The draft groups rights into topics the students called articles: access to high-quality education, modern technology access, civic participation, diversity and inclusion, positive school climate including mental-health supports, free expression, and due process. The students described specific provisions such as access to counseling, age-appropriate technology access both at school and at home, processes to report discrimination, and standardized disciplinary procedures with opportunities for students to advocate on their own behalf.

Student leaders said they worked with teachers, administrators and central-office staff to refine language and ensure the document could be adopted and used as a practical resource for students. Melissa Viola Aske, administrative coordinator for history and social sciences, noted the division’s student senate has expanded to include at least one junior or senior senator from every high school and that 60 students took part in the bill’s drafting over two years.

Board members responded positively at the meeting. Board Member Erica Trudenick said she was “thrilled” the bill will be included in the Code of Behavior the board is scheduled to review and that the student-driven process fulfilled the board’s goals for student voice. Student representative Ala Rashid also thanked the student senate and urged the board to consider the perspectives and feedback that shaped the document.

The board did not take a final vote to adopt the bill that night; school staff said the Student Bill of Rights will be included in the draft Code of Behavior presented to the board for action.

If the board approves the Code of Behavior with the bill included, the rights would be codified in division documents and a student-led plan to produce materials and resources was proposed to help students understand how to use the bill to advocate for themselves.

The student presenters asked the board to treat the document as a living text, to be revisited with student feedback, data and collaborative review so it can evolve with changing needs.