Empowering student voices: How to start a school petition on Change.org

The U.S. ranks as the most expensive country in the world to earn a bachelor’s degree. It also holds the tragic distinction of having the highest rate of school shootings. 

From unmanageable tuition fees to mental health crises and restrictive school policies, students have every reason to speak up. At Change.org, we believe that student voices matter. When organized, they can spark real change in schools and communities. 

Whether it’s advocating for fairer dress codes, fighting restrictive cell phone policies, pushing for days off on important holidays, or campaigning for curriculum changes, students across the country are already proving that petitions work.

If you’re ready to stand up for something you believe in, this guide will show you how to start a school petition that makes an impact.

Why students, teachers, and parents should use Change.org

Every day, students face challenges in their schools that impact their education and well-being.  Change.org provides a platform where students can come together, rally support, and push for the changes they want to see.

Starting a petition on Change.org is more than just posting a complaint online. It’s about organizing a movement, bringing together like-minded peers, and making a case to school administrators and decision-makers that students’ concerns deserve to be addressed.

The impact of student-led petitions

There are copious examples of student-led petitions that have led to real change — students are proving that their voices matter. 

For example, in Arizona, Alyssa Plaza, a cheer coach, was fired for protecting an LGBTQ+ student from bullying. The student experienced harassment while in the male changing rooms, so Plaza let him use the female ones once empty. 

In mid-May, over 28,000 people had signed a petition to reinstate Plaza. “More teachers and staff should be looking at her as an example. She stood up for a student and she should be receiving praise for that, not condemnation,” said one of the petition supporters. Watch the story below.

Other times, students get together to make their voices heard on issues that matter to them, such as animal welfare. 

A student started a campaign calling on Compass Group, the world’s largest foodservice provider and supplier to Cal Poly Humboldt, to honor its animal welfare promises. Those included the Better Chicken Commitment and an end to the confinement of mother pigs. Thanks to strong public support, the campaign was a success: Compass has updated all three of its core animal welfare policies, a move that will improve the lives of billions of animals across its supply chains.

Another campaign sought to honor and preserve the memory of a friend. In Durgee Junior High School, Baldwinsville, New York, a student started a petition to retire the number 19 soccer jersey in honor of Ava Wood, a beloved fellow student who was killed. With over 43,000 signatures, the petition made it a reality.

Examples of common issues students campaign for

Students are using Change.org to tackle a wide range of issues, reflecting their diverse experiences and concerns, for example:

Phone policies 

Many students believe that current cell phone policies in schools are too restrictive. They argue that phones can be valuable tools for learning and that the policies should reflect this reality. Petitions have successfully pushed schools to revise these policies, allowing for more balanced and fair regulations.

Students in the Plano, Texas school district took to Change.org to ask for a more flexible phone policy. While acknowledging the issues with screen time, the petition starter asked for a middle ground where phones are allowed during breaks. With the support of 250 signatures, their voices were heard, and the policy was updated.

Dress codes 

Students have raised concerns about dress codes they perceive as discriminatory or outdated, arguing that such policies can suppress self-expression or disproportionately target certain groups.  

Every year, students use Change.org to campaign for dress codes that are inclusive and respectful of all students, regardless of gender or cultural background.

With temperatures hitting over 80 degrees, the girls’ track team at Albany High School in New York showed up to practice wearing sports bras. They were suspended and kicked out of practice, while the boys’ team, who were shirtless, were simply told to put tops on. 

The girls fought back with a Change.org petition that garnered over 51,400 signatures, in a case that made international and national news, including in The Washington Post.

They won — the suspensions were lifted, and the dress code was updated.

School holidays 

Recognizing the diverse cultural and religious background of students, petitions have been launched to add or adjust school holidays to be more inclusive and considerate of all communities. 

For example, a group of South Asian parents started a petition asking for the Montclair School District in New Jersey to recognise Diwali as a school holiday. Following the support of over 800 people, the board of education heard them and included Diwali in the school calendar as a holiday.

Curriculum and inclusivity

Whether pushing for more inclusive history lessons or advocating for practical life skills to be taught in schools, students are using Change.org to call for curriculum changes that better reflect their needs and interests.

“It is through knowledge that we can combat hate. For it is in ignorance that hatred is born,” reads a petition launched in May 2021 to include Asian American history in the K-12 curriculum in Florida.

Following the wave of targeted attacks on the Asian community in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the petition starters highlighted the importance of this move. Two years later, in 2023, after thorough campaigning and over 15,100 signatures, they achieved their goal. 

Tuition fees and student debt

The rising cost of education has led students to petition against tuition fee hikes and advocate for more affordable higher education options. In Florida, a student took to Change.org to stop a bill that would have affected the eligibility criteria of Bright Futures scholarships. 

The bill intended to only award tuition support to students enrolled in a designated major or “market-driven degree program.” 

“A creative writing student’s future would not matter as much as a pre-health student’s,” said Jocelyn Meyer, the petition starter. With over 138,300 signatures garnered, the petition was a success, and the bill did not pass.

Safety and bullying

Ensuring a safe learning environment is a top priority for students, leading to petitions that address bullying, harassment, and the need for better protective measures in schools.

For example, a student at the University of Georgia fought for the installation of emergency blue lights on campus following a fatal tragedy. They were backed by almost 26,000 signatures, and the university agreed to their requests, and added extra safety measures such as more cameras.

In 2023, following the tragic death of a teen by suicide after being bullied at school, a petitioner pushed for a bullying-prevention law. With almost 100,000 signatures, the petition was successful, leading to establishing better mechanisms to avoid more tragedies fueled by bullying. 

Freedom of speech and book bans

Students and student advocates across the country are taking a stand against book bans and censorship, championing the right to access diverse perspectives and protect intellectual freedom in educational settings.

In Texas, Half Price Books launched a petition in 2023 calling for an end to book bans, which has since garnered over 20,900 signatures. The local book shop remains an active voice in the national movement to combat censorship and preserve the availability of inclusive literature in schools and libraries.

At Columbia University, student Mohsen Mahdawi was arrested during his U.S. naturalization interview due to his participation in pro-Palestine campus protests—a case that quickly gained widespread attention through social media and national news coverage. A petition supporting Mahdawi collected more than 2,400 signatures, contributing to his release. However, as of mid-May 2025, his legal case remains unresolved in federal court. Watch video

These examples highlight the range of free speech issues students are engaged with and their ongoing efforts to create more open and inclusive academic environments.

How to start a school petition

Following a few simple steps can make the whole process of starting a petition smooth and impactful. Whether you’re a student, parent, or teacher, Change.org gives you the platform to rally support and push for meaningful reforms—be it in school policy, campus safety, curriculum content, or cultural inclusion. Here’s how to get started:

1. Identify the issue

Start by pinpointing the specific issue you want to address. Take time to think about how this issue affects you and your peers. It’s important to be clear about the change you’re seeking. 

Consider gathering some preliminary feedback from classmates or teachers to better understand the broader impact of the issue so you can clearly communicate it in your petition.

For example, if you see that the food options offered at your cafeteria are nutritionally poor, you can ask around to see what other students think about the issue and how it affects them. Valuable feedback could include that their energy levels might be low, or the options for people with dietary requirements might be limited or lacking. 

📌 Tip: Keep your goal focused and actionable. Instead of “make school better,” try “allow phones during lunch breaks” or “include Diwali as a school holiday.”

2. Research and gather support

Before launching your petition, do some research to strengthen your argument. Research existing school policies, past petitions, and real-world data that support your position. Strong evidence makes your case more persuasive.

Look at other successful campaigns on Change.org for inspiration. For example, if you’re challenging a dress code, find similar campaigns that gained traction and note how they framed their message.

Start conversations with fellow students, teachers, and even parents. Their input can help you refine your petition and ensure it reflects a shared concern.

📌 Resource: Check out Change.org’s petition starter guide and browse campaigns in the Education Reform category to see what has worked for others.

3. Craft your petition

Your petition is your public pitch—make it count.

Begin with a clear, compelling title that summarizes your ask. In the petition body, explain the issue, why it matters, and what change you want to see. Use a tone that’s respectful, passionate, and persuasive.

Include personal stories, relatable experiences, or quotes from peers. Supporting facts or links to reputable sources can add credibility. You can also embed images, infographics, or short videos to bring your message to life.

📌 Pro tip: End with a direct call to action, such as “Sign this petition to tell the school board that student voices matter.”

4. Promote your petition

Once your petition is live, get the word out — every signature counts.

Start with your classmates and teachers. Share it on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or wherever your school community is most active. Tag student groups, clubs, and relevant influencers or alumni who might support your cause.

Create flyers or posters to display around school, or ask for a mention in a school newsletter. Change.org makes it easy to download a custom flyer right from your dashboard as one of the free tools provided.

📌 Reminder: Use your Change.org dashboard to send updates, invitations to participate in further actions, and thank-you messages to supporters. Keeping them engaged can lead to more shares, signatures, and increased pressure on decision makers to take action.

5. Engage decision-makers

Once you’ve built up support, it’s time to bring your petition to the people who can make change happen.

This might be your school principal, district superintendent, school board, or local elected officials. Draft a professional email or letter summarizing your petition, the support you’ve gathered, and what action you want them to take. Include a link to the petition and offer to meet in person or present your case at a public meeting.

📌 Pro tip: Stay respectful, calm, and confident. You’re not just asking for change—you’re offering a solution backed by a community of supporters.

6. Keep the momentum going

After you’ve presented your petition, continue to keep your supporters updated on any developments. Whether the decision-makers have agreed to make the change or if further action is needed, staying engaged with your supporters is crucial. 

Consider organizing events, rallies, or follow-up campaigns to maintain pressure and visibility on the issue. Your persistence can make all the difference in turning your petition into real, lasting change.

Start your school petition today

Your petition can be the first step towards meaningful change in education reform and shaping a better future for students. Whatever the education issue you’re tackling is, the only way to see progress is by making your voice heard.

Like the examples above show, student-led petitions have already led to real wins such as law changes and uniform policy updates, as well as local, national, and international news coverage.

Every petition is a chance to raise awareness, build a community, and demand accountability. If something feels wrong in your educational environment, you don’t have to wait for someone else to fix it.

Start a petition today to push for the change you want to see.

To use Change.org in the United States, you must be at least 13 years old. For those living outside of the United States, you must be 16 or older. If you do not meet the age requirement, your parent or guardian may start the petition on your behalf. For more info please read our Terms of Service or contact us at Help@change.org.