Comprehensive Testifying Toolkit

Everything you need to give confident, compelling testimony before school boards, committees, and legislative bodies

Testifying is one of the most direct and powerful ways youth can influence education policy. Whether you're speaking before a school board, city council, or the Tennessee State Legislature, your voice has weight and can help change laws and lives

Testimony is a formal statement given to a governing body—usually a committee or board—during a public meeting or hearing. It can:

• Support or oppose legislation
• Raise awareness about student issues
• Share lived experiences that statistics alone can’t show
• Help lawmakers make informed decisions

• Oral Testimony: Spoken in-person or virtually; usually limited to 1–3 minutes
• Written Testimony: A formal, written statement that may be submitted in advance or alongside your oral remarks
• Panel Testimony: Delivered as part of a group (e.g., a student panel), often in roundtable format

Ask yourself:

• What do I want them to do? (e.g., vote yes, reject, amend, or hold the bill)
• Why does this matter to students, especially those often unheard?
• What personal experience or data can I offer?

• Know the bill number or agenda item name (e.g., HB2372 – School Book Transparency Act)
• Learn about committee members: Who’s undecided? Who’s sponsoring it?
• Pull 1–2 statistics to back your position (use EdTrust, TN DOE, or credible education policy sources)

Keep it under 2 minutes (approx. 250–300 words)

1. Introduction:
   "Good morning, my name is [Name], I’m a [Grade] at [School] and a youth advocate with the Tennessee Student Equity Leadership Board."
2. State Your Position:
   "I’m testifying in strong support of [Bill Name] because it addresses..."
3. Tell Your Story:
   Share a specific, personal experience: what happened, how it felt, and why it matters.
4. Include 1–2 Key Facts:
   "According to the TN Department of Education, only 12% of schools include Asian American history in their core curriculum."
5. Make Your Ask:
   "I urge you to support this bill because..."
6. Thank Them:
   "Thank you for your time and for valuing student voices."

• Time yourself: keep it under 2 minutes
• Memorize the flow, not the script, and speak naturally
• Practice with a friend or mentor and ask for feedback
• Record yourself and watch your pacing and tone

• Arrive at least 30 minutes early
• Sign up to speak (may be online or paper)
• Dress in school-appropriate, neat clothes
• Bring 5–10 printed copies of your testimony (with your name/school on top)

• Stand or sit upright; shoulders back
• Look up from your notes when you can
• Don’t fidget or sway—use purposeful hand gestures
• Speak slowly, clearly, and with emotion

• Breathe deeply before speaking
• Remember: your story is powerful because it’s real
• You’re not being graded. Focus on being honest and clear

• Answer honestly. It’s okay to say, “I’m not sure, but I can follow up.”
• Repeat their question back if needed for clarity
• Use it as a chance to emphasize your message

• Say thank you again
• Stay to listen to others’ testimony (if possible)
• You may be contacted by reporters, aides, or legislators—be prepared to share your email or a brief follow-up quote

 If you can’t attend or want to supplement your remarks:

• Email your full written statement (PDF preferred) to the committee clerk or relevant legislator
• Include your full name, school, grade, and organization
• CC yourself and save the email for your records