​The Edvance Cohort is a national professional development initiative designed to prepare and support 15–20 Student Board Members serving on school district governing boards. Through a series of coordinated trainings throughout the academic year, the cohort equips students with the knowledge, tools, and strategic frameworks needed to participate meaningfully in district governance, policy development, and community engagement.

Cohort Timeline

Students selected for the Edvance Cohort will participate in the following trainings:

1. September 18-20, 2026: Student Trustee Action Readiness Training (START) Conference — Three Days, Online

2. November 2026 (Tentative: Saturday, November 14, 2026): Students Tackling Effective Policy Solutions (STEPS) Conference — One Day, Online

3. January 2027 (Tentative: January 30, 2027): Budgeting in Unity: Dialogue, Governance, Equity, and Transparency (BUDGET) Training — 3 Hours, Online

4. March 12-14, 2027: COSSBA National Conference* — Three Days, In-Person, Dallas, TX

*Optional in-person learning opportunity