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Student Rights

For liberty to be preserved, it must be nurtured in the hearts and minds of young people. The ACLU educates students about the many important rights they have and supports those who exercise their rights. In doing so, we help to prepare the next generation of guardians of liberty.

REPORT: Washington Schools Routinely Physically Restrain and Isolate Students

Advocates call on the Legislature to Clarify the Law and Adopt Reforms to Protect Students 

Resources

Parents' Guide to Public School Discipline in Washington

Document, Published: 
Thursday, December 14, 2017
This pamphlet provides nuts-and-bolts advice for parents whose children are facing disciplinary proceedings at a public school. It is designed for those who intend to advocate for their children in meetings with administrators, hearing officers, and school boards.
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ACLU-WA Honors WA Immigrant Solidarity Network, Spokane’s Every Student Counts Alliance, and Auburn’s Youth United

News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 3, 2017
The ACLU of Washington is honoring a statewide immigrant support network, a Spokane group that has advocated for reform of school discipline policies, and a group of Auburn students that have advocated for the rights of immigrant youth with its annual awards for 2017.
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Pushed out, kicked out: Stories from families with special education students in Washington

Published: 
Monday, October 2, 2017
Christian: Punished and forced into online school for taking too long in the restroom
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Know Your Rights: Police In Schools

Document, Published: 
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Many schools have police officers stationed on campus. Other schools may call police to respond to particular situations. Even though you are in school, you still have rights when interacting with police.
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Pushed out, kicked out: Stories from families with special education students in Washington

Published: 
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
Washington's special education students are entering the school to prison pipeline because schools suspend or expel them twice as much as their peers.
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Pushed out, kicked out: Stories from families with special education students in Washington

Published: 
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Ten-year-old Tory moved from Georgia and started in the Clover Park School District in June 2015. While Tory was once excited to go to a school with supportive teachers, now he is anxious about school as a place where he will be mistreated by teachers and humiliated in front of his peers.
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Pushed out, kicked out: Stories from families with special education students in Washington

Published: 
Friday, July 28, 2017
Washington's special education students are entering the school to prison pipeline because schools suspend or expel them twice as much as their peers.
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Pushed out; kicked out: Stories from families with special education students in Washington

Published: 
Friday, July 21, 2017
Washington's special education students are entering the school to prison pipeline because schools suspend or expel them twice as much as their peers.
Read more

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