- Press Release
Every student has the right to be included.
Civil rights protections mean every child can enter a classroom, participate fully in school, and know they belong.
Yet students are still excluded because of their race, disability, national origin, language, immigration status, sex, gender identity, or other parts of who they are.
NCYL’s new Model Students’ Civil Rights Act gives states a framework to protect students from discrimination, strengthen enforcement, and ensure families have somewhere to turn when a child’s rights are violated.

Taking action: NCYL on the frontlines
Read about the latest cases, policies, guides, and events our experts are undertaking to protect children’s rights and well-being in this critical moment.
More news- Press Release
California enacts critical youth justice reforms ending endless probation and ensuring young people’s right to hug their loved ones
Click to read California enacts critical youth justice reforms ending endless probation and ensuring young people’s right to hug their loved ones>- Press Release
Trump Administration takes steps to enact federal voucher program, defund public education
Click to read Trump Administration takes steps to enact federal voucher program, defund public education>- Press Release
Children’s Due Process Project Launches to Expand Federal Litigation Support for Unaccompanied Children
Click to read Children’s Due Process Project Launches to Expand Federal Litigation Support for Unaccompanied Children>Mission
At the National Center for Youth Law, we Center Youth through impact litigation, policy advocacy, collaboration, and research that fundamentally transforms our nation’s approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice.
NCYL on
- Why continuing mental health care after juvenile detention mattersSeptember 30, 2026
- Report Out: Emerging Tech in Child Welfare ConveningSeptember 28, 2026
- Redlining didn’t end. Its consequences are still shaping schools, communitiesAugust 21, 2026