In 2025, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) engaged Creation in Common to lead a groundbreaking effort to learn directly from the voices and experiences of the state’s youngest K-12 learners—kindergarteners. Centering child engagement across Minnesota, this work set out to elevate what children say, do, and feel in order to build a fuller, more grounded understanding of what it truly means to learn, grow, and express knowledge in the early years of school. MDE and Creation in Common were guided by a deep belief that young learners’ lived experiences, preferences, and expressions are essential to shaping learning environments that are equitable, developmentally appropriate, and affirming of every child’s identity.

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Project team members from MDE and Creation in Common. From l to r: Jon Vaupel (MDE), Carlo Cuesta (Creation in Common), Kate Dole (MDE), Olivia Christensen (MDE), and Lindsey Burdick (Creation in Common)