Focus area

Education

NCYL’s Education work aims to create an education ecosystem that centers youth. We work to ensure equitable education opportunities to all children and youth - especially those who experience barriers due to disability, racism, socioeconomic status and more. We also work to ensure safe and positive school environments where students can learn and thrive. 

Center Youth
NCYL partners directly with youth to improve their education outcomes, identify opportunities for reform, file litigation and engage in policy advocacy.
 

Our Success & Impact

Get up to date on our latest work - from litigation and policy wins to new reports, resources, events and more.
Latest News
Success and Impact

Nation's Top Legal Justice Group for Kids, Announces New Leader

The National Center for Youth Law has chosen one of its own – and the first woman and person of color – to carry forward the organization’s mission to...
Latest News
Success and Impact

Educators call on United Nations to address anti-Black racism

Natasha Wilkins calls on U.N. Permanent Forum on People of African Descent to advocate for equity & honesty in schools
Latest News
Success and Impact

Girls and young women in California to receive support instead of jail

Successful pilot program is disrupting 'school-to-prison pipeline' in Santa Clara County
See All News

Our Initiatives

Ensure Education Equity, Inclusion And Civil Rights For Students

Education inequities based on race, disability, gender identity and sexual orientation are evident in U.S. schools every day. NCYL works to eliminate these inequities, advance inclusion and uphold the education civil rights of every student.

Establish Youth-Centered Approaches To Education

NCYL works to advance school systems that center the needs and experiences of students - from removing barriers to learning, to providing training for teachers and school personnel, to empowering youth to more fully participate in their own educational trajectory.

End The School To Prison Pipeline

Schools nationwide use harsh punishments that push students - especially Black and Brown students - into what is known as the school-to-prison pipeline. NCYL uses many strategies to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and create positive school environments that meet students’ academic, social and

Building Compassionate Education Systems for System-Involved Students

Equitably supporting students in foster care, involved in the juvenile justice system or experiencing homelessness, requires dynamic multi-agency collaboration between local education, child welfare, judicial and community-based partners with a shared vision for effectively serving these

Related Events

2023 FosterEd Arizona Foster Care Conference: School Experience and Promoting Student Success

Wednesday, September 27, 2023: In-Person

South Mountain Community College Student Union Conference Center
Seating is limited! 

Thursday, September 28, 2023: Virtual

 

register for free now

 

 

Legal Advocacy & Impact Litigation
See All Cases

D.P. v. School Board of Palm Beach County

Filing date
2021-06-22
Police employed by the School District of Palm Beach County illegally use the Florida Mental Health Act, also known as the Baker Act, to subject hundreds of students each year to involuntary psychiatric examinations, without their parents' input, consent and, sometimes, over their objections.
Active

Women’s Student Union v. U.S. Department of Education

Filing date
2021-03-08
This lawsuit challenged Trump-era regulations that represent a radical departure from the way previous administrations applied Title IX to school sexual harassment, including sexual assault.
Inactive

COPAA v. DeVos, 2020

Filing date
2020-08-10
This lawsuit seeks to stop the U.S. Department of Education's attempts to siphon emergency federal COVID-19 funding away from K - 12 public schools and the students they serve.
Active
See All Laws & Policy

Expanding Access to Diplomas for Highly Mobile Students (2021 & 2022)

SB 532 (Caballero)

SB 532 builds bridges to a high school diploma and post-secondary educational success for highly mobile students.
Enacted

PROMYSE Act - Promoting Youth Success and Empowerment Act (2021)

SB 493 Bradford

SB 493 improves the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act by ensuring adequate oversight, equitable decision-making, and effective investments prioritizing our communities’ most critical needs. SB 493 was not successful in 2021.
Inactive

Mental Health Education (2021)

SB 224 (Portantino)

SB 224 ensures that middle and high school health courses include instruction on mental health and wellness, and requires the state to develop a plan to expand mental health instruction in California public schools by January 1, 2024.
Enacted

Related Resources

Lost Instruction Time in California Schools Report
Reports

Lost Instruction Time in California Schools

The two groups of children with the most unstable home environments - foster youth and those experiencing homelessness - are the two groups that...
How schools can support mental health report cover with image of a smiling student wearing a back pack

Schools can support student mental health and well-being

This collection of resources, information, and strategies is intended to support and help California students get the mental health support they need...
Report cover with unique artwork depicting a growing plant

Youth provide insights to help build healthier schools

Report, based on engagement with 90+ youth, elevates students' voices in reshaping schools to better support their needs
Report cover with title

Understanding Alternative Schools Run by California’s 5 Largest County Offices of Education

Increasing Transparency & Accountability Can Help Students Receive the K-12 Education They Deserve
Report cover with title

The Student-Affirming Education Needed for Our Children and Our Nation's Future

Released by the award winning educators of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year’s Voices for Honest Education as attacks on honest...
See All Resources

Where We Focus

National Center for Youth Law is committed to achieving large-scale, lasting change across multiple government systems and public agencies. Explore all the areas of our work to Center Youth.

Foster Care

Health

Immigration

Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Youth Justice

Contribute Today

You can be part of the mission to Center Youth and create a world where every child thrives.

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