Resources

Both the California Constitution and the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution offer strong free speech protections—even for speech that is unpopular, controversial, political, or deeply offensive. These constitutional provisions prohibit officials at public colleges and universities from establishing or enforcing disciplinary rules that punish protected expression. But there are some limits. Read download ACLU […]

A report by the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, ACLU Foundation of Northern California, and California Indian Legal Services shines a spotlight on the troubling violations of Indigenous students’ rights in California. Graduation is a time for celebration, but too many students are being denied their right to wear cultural and religious adornments—despite clear legal

Protecting Students’ Freedom to Learn & Freedom to Be Themselves at School In some school districts, students and parents feel unwelcome because of who they are.  In parts of California, school board members have passed policies that harm students, especially LGBTQ students, and are challenging protections put in place for students. A handful of extremists are

On July 15, 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1955, the Support Academic Futures & Educators for Today’s Youth Act (the SAFETY Act), which strengthens existing California law prohibiting school districts from enacting a policy requiring that staff disclose information about a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to anyone without the

California public school teachers have free speech rights, but there are limitations. To learn more, check out the ACLU of Northern California’s guide on this topic by clicking the link below.

The Menstrual Equity for All Act (AB 367 [Ch. 664, Stas. 2021]) recognizes the critical need for expanded access to free menstrual products in California public schools in order to stem the harmful impacts period poverty has on students in the classroom. All California public schools, including schools operated by a school district or the

California state law specifically protects students’ right to wear “traditional tribal regalia or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance as an adornment at school graduation ceremonies.” In addition, state and federal civil rights laws protect student rights to expressive and religious conduct, and freedom of expression as a student. Students have the right to

All across California, charter schools are implementing admissions policies that exclude students from enrolling. Like other public schools, charters must admit all students who wish to attend. By law, they may not discourage certain students from enrolling based on income, national origin, academic performance or other factors. These admission policies threaten to turn public schooling into a