California public school teachers have free speech rights, but there are limitations. To learn more, check out the ACLU of Northern California’s guide on this topic by clicking the link below.
The Menstrual Equity for All Act (AB 367 [Ch. 664, Stas. 2021]) recognizes the critical need for expanded access to free menstrual products in California public schools in order to stem the harmful impacts period poverty has on students in the classroom. All California public schools, including schools operated by a school district or the …
THE MENSTRUAL EQUITY FOR ALL ACT- A Handbook for California Public School Districts Read More »
California state law specifically protects students’ right to wear “traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies.” In addition, state and federal civil rights laws protect student rights to expressive and religious conduct, and freedom of expression as a student. Students have the right to …
All across California, charter schools are implementing admissions policies that exclude students from enrolling. Like other public schools, charters must admit all students who wish to attend. By law, they may not discourage certain students from enrolling based on income, national origin, academic performance or other factors. These admission policies threaten to turn public schooling into a …
UNEQUAL ACCESS – How Some California Charter Schools Illegally Restrict Enrollment Read More »
In 2019, youth leaders at Gente Organizada discovered that their school district was illegally spending funds reserved for foster youth, English learners, and low-income students (“high-need students”) on school police and security. Outraged, the students organized and ran a campaign to stop it. After months of advocacy, they ultimately convinced their district to stop spending …
The U.S. Department of Education recently required every public school to report the number of social workers, nurses, and psychologists employed for the first time in history. Data about school counselors had been required previously, but this report provides the first state-level student-to-staff ratio comparison for these other school-based mental health personnel, along with school …
COPS AND NO COUNSELORS – How the Lack of School Mental Health Staff is Harming Students Read More »
Education is a civil right, but millions of California’s students are underservedbecause of inadequate funding and lack of prioritization. We created this tool for community members and stakeholders to investigate resource gaps and inequalities, demand investment and accountability, and engage with different campaigns. Join us in creating Education Justice in California!
A disturbing trend has emerged in California — police officers are stationed in schools and are replacing educators as disciplinarians for minor offenses and student behavior issues. Further, on-campus policing often results in over-criminalizing students—mostly low-income students of color — and pushes affected students out of the educational environment and into the school-to-prison pipeline. This …
THE RIGHT TO REMAIN A STUDENT: HOW CAlifornia SCHOOL POLICIES FAIL TO PROTECT AND SERVE Read More »
“Here to Learn” provides a full analysis of LAUSD’s mandatory metal detector search policy. This analysis is based on a comprehensive review of LAUSD metal detection search logs produced in response to a Public Records Act (PRA) request for any entries containing weapons in the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 school years by researchers at UCLA’s Civil …
In the settlement of a lawsuit against the unconstitutional Youth Accountability Team (YAT) program in Riverside County that treated thousands of youths — especially those of color — like hardened criminals for minor adolescent misbehaviors, the county has agreed to groundbreaking measures. Under terms of the settlement, the county will no longer enroll youths in …
HISTORIC SETTLEMENT OVER ABUSES OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY YOUTH PROBATION PROGRAM Read More »
