Know Your Rights: Education and Equity

As a student in California, you have educational rights. This list was complied by the arts justice fellow in 2019. More info available at www.myschoolmyrights.com.

15 Rights You Need to Know:

  1. You have the right to use the facilities that match my gender identity.

  2. You have a right to a K-12 education as an undocumented student.

  3. You have the right to participate in a walkout or off-campus protest and not be punished more harshly for it.

  4. You have the right to freedom of speech while you are at school

  5. You have the right to keep the contents of your phone, laptop, or tablet private

  6. You have the right to refuse to be searched

  7. You have the right to wear clothing or hairstyles based on your race or ethnicity

  8. You have the right to stay in the same school while you are pregnant or after childbirth

  9. You have rights during the suspension process

  10. You have the right to express your opinion on social media

  11. You have a right to go to school that is a welcoming environment for you and your classmates, free of bullying and harassment.

  12. You have the right to comprehensive sex education at least once in middle school and once in high school.

  13. You have the right to access and receive health services as a student

  14. You have the right to stay in the same school even if you move to a new foster placement

  15. You have the right to file a complaint towards yours school through the Uniform Complaint Process CA Code of Regulations (Title 5, section 4600 et seq.)

  16.  Visual and Performing art (VAPA) shall be included in the school curriculum for all students grades 1-6. as stated in Section 51210(a).

  17. VAPA shall be offered to all students in grades 7-12. Arts is a “course of study.” as stated in Section 51220(g).