How Doorstop makes change

Change made by students

We meet students in person at their schools and online where they already are, give them a playbook for the problem in front of them, and help until it is fixed.

How change works

Two problems, two playbooks

We provide step-by-step guides, survey templates, power mapping, and mentorship for two issues: school policies and school culture.

Changing a policy

Examples: Phone rules, gross lunch, no mental health support

Gather evidence
Surveys, photos, counts, and the rule as written. Numbers beat complaints.
Build consensus
Line up allies before you ask: teachers, student council, parents, a board member. Hear objections early.
Make the pitch
One specific ask, to the person who can say yes: an email, a meeting, then public comment.

Changing a culture

Examples: Vaping, fights, toxic competition

Name your referents
Some students have outsized influence on how their friends act. Ask around: who do people here listen to? Aim for one per friend group.
Pick one change
Something publicly visible, and the same for everyone. Like: stop asking people what they got on a test.
Ask them to help
Explain the idea and ask for the one thing. When they change their behavior, so does everyone else.