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

Lawsuits, Policy Work Highlight NCYL's Efforts To Stop Criminalization Of Students

The National Center for Youth Law, through litigation and policy development, has proudly fought to stop the criminalization of youth and end punitive...

Success and Impact

NCYL Challenges Racist Practices in School Districts in California, Connecticut

NCYL has a deep history of defending the rights of students and challenging racist practices in school districts across the U.S., from California to...

Success and Impact

NCYL Leads In Efforts To Reform California's Alternative Education Settings

Through partnerships and publishing reports, NCYL has been a leader in exposing the harms of California’s alternative education settings and...

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

Related Events

Forum

Freedom to Learn: Education Reform as Part of the Youth Decarceration Movement

April 27, 2022 - 1:15pm

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.

Active

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

Press Coverage

Schools Sued For Sending Students With Disabilities To Psych Wards

June 24, 2021

Disability Scoop

Palm Beach County schools sued over their use of Baker Act to send kids to psych wards

June 22, 2021

Palm Beach Post

State reaches deal to improve education, mental services for incarcerated youths

June 22, 2021

CT Mirror

'Counseling Not Criminalization' Bill Unveiled to Boot Police From US Schools

June 18, 2021

Common Dreams

Ending Virtual-School Oppression: Black Students Disproportionately Punished for Harmless Behavior at Home During Zoom Classes

June 17, 2021

Sacramento Observer

“504 plan” disability protection favors students at Arizona’s wealthier, whiter schools

June 14, 2021

Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting

Related Resources

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...

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...

FosterEd Antelope Valley 2 year progress report cover student with computer

Reports

Compassionate Education Systems: Antelope Valley Progress Report

A new report by the National Center for Youth Law highlights progress made in improving the educational experiences for youth in foster care in the...

Report cover. Girl sitting alone in school hallway

Reports

School Mental Health 101: A Primer for Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans

California is launching an effort to grow partnerships between schools and Medi-Cal mental health providers to expand access to care for students...

Child writing in a notebook at a desk in a bedroom

Factsheets

Reports

Distance Learning Available to Families Through Independent Study During 2021-2022 School Year: Resource for Parents and Guardians

Read our September 2021 letter to the California Department of Education and State Board of Education urging better support for students and families...

Meet Our Team

Senior Program Manager

Joy Hernandez

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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Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Youth Justice

Contribute Today

Help us realize our mission to Center Youth and create a world where every child thrives.