Every student has the right to be included.

Civil rights protections mean every child can enter a classroom, participate fully in school, and know they belong.

Yet students are still excluded because of their race, disability, national origin, language, immigration status, sex, gender identity, or other parts of who they are.

NCYL’s new Model Students’ Civil Rights Act gives states a framework to protect students from discrimination, strengthen enforcement, and ensure families have somewhere to turn when a child’s rights are violated.

Learn about the model legislation

Taking action: NCYL on the frontlines

Read about the latest cases, policies, guides, and events our experts are undertaking to protect children’s rights and well-being in this critical moment.

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Join our fight

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) puts children—especially those pushed to society’s margins—at the center of every fight for justice. Together we can create a country where every child is free to lead, thrive, and shape their own destiny.

Mission

At the National Center for Youth Law, we Center Youth through impact litigation, policy advocacy, collaboration, and research that fundamentally transforms our nation’s approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice.

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