Lakeside Union School District Receives Speak Up Hero Award

The Lakeside Union School District (LUSD) was recently honored with the Speak Up Hero award for leveraging local and national insights from Project Tomorrow’s annual Speak Up Research Project to transform learning at the school district. 

LUSD was one of 10 school districts recognized by Project Tomorrow for its innovative leadership in improving education and its acknowledgement of the value of stakeholder input in shaping the future of education. In addition to an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., the district leadership team will meet with Project Tomorrow for a planning workshop to implement the latest round of stakeholder input.

“We are honored that Project Tomorrow chose our school district as one of the 10 Speak Up Hero Award winners,” said LUSD Superintendent Dr. Rhonda Taylor. “The insight from Project Tomorrow’s Speak Up Research Project — paired with the insight and feedback from our local communities — helps us better support our students.” 

The Speak Up Research Project asks K-12 educators, students, and families about the role of educational technology in and out of the classroom. The development of the Speak Up survey is a year-long process, and the topics change to ensure the survey is relevant and reflects what’s top of mind for education leaders. LUSD has been an active participant in Project Speak Up since 2018. 

By engaging in Project Speak Up, LUSD gains valuable insights into the needs and concerns of its students. This information informs decision-making processes when it comes to technological learning platforms and applications. 

Data collected through Project Speak Up serve as a compass for LUSD, guiding efforts to enhance curriculum and create a learning environment that prioritizes the voices of those it serves. In essence, the district views Project Speak Up as more than just a survey—it's a dynamic tool for student insight, ensuring that the students play an active role in shaping the future of education in Lakeside Union School District.

In addition to Project Speak Up, LUSD solicits student voice and input in a variety of ways, including leadership opportunities, surveys, focus groups, student shadowing and student representation on a variety of committees. The district is committed to fostering a culture of open communication and continuous improvement.