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.

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

FosterEd Arizona improving supports for youth in foster care through listening tour and policy recommendations

All children need and deserve support and humanity as they navigate the many challenges they face in school and life. These challenges are compounded...

2022 California Legislative Successes

A pair of bills aimed at improving the lives of young people across California — and that were supported by the National Center for Youth Law — were...

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

September 27, 2023 - 8:30am

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

Laws & Policy

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

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

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...

Report cover with photo of student using a laptop

Reports

JusticeEd: Year Two Progress Update

Since 2018, NCYL’s JusticeEd Initiative in Santa Clara County has provided innovative, individualized education case management and coaching to...

Students in a hallway with quote text overlayed

Educator Voices: #TeachingTruth

Building Tomorrow's Leaders Comprehensive and honest teaching of U.S. history Kate McCann “In AP Statistics we tackle the tough conversations. We...

SB 203 graphic showing process of youth interrogation

Factsheets

Miranda Rights - Protection Guides for Youth and Professionals

Guides to help youth, law enforcement, and school staff understand the rights youth have during police interrogations to ensure outcomes are just and...

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.

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