what can a middle school student do to prepare to be a civil rights attorney

What are the civil rights of a student?

As others have said, most stuff you can do in middle school is just establish study habits. Maybe join debate. As others have said, your major mostly doesn't matter. However, if you want to do patent work, you'll need a hard science or math degree. And, if your degree is biology, you'll need an MS. So keep that in the back of your mind.

Do I need an attorney for my child’s School proceedings?

Feb 20, 2018 · To prepare for the trip, the group spent that last four weeks looking at Black history as an integral part of American history. They examined the slave trade, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the Civil Rights Movement. Students engaged with these topics as a portal to see how these past events led to the tensions still present in our society.

How can extracurriculars help prepare you for Law School?

Sep 19, 2014 · Volunteering, for example, can teach you valuable lessons about the challenges that people in your community face, which can make you a more informed person  , which can help you decide what type of law you want to practice and why. Even extracurriculars that are just for fun, such as sports, art, or theatre, can teach you valuable time-management skills as …

How can I prepare for Law School?

Sep 24, 2018 · If a school promotes or demeans a religion, parents can complain to the school district, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, and the ACLU. “A Minute of Silence” is often encouraged, although some states disregard the First Amendment entirely and go ahead and say prayers in class.

How do I prepare my child to be a lawyer?

How to Prepare to Be a Lawyer in High SchoolLook for hands-on experience. ... Be active in the world. ... Take advanced classes. ... Improve your standardized test skills. ... Practice public speaking and writing. ... Explore other possible career paths.Jan 26, 2020

Which subject is best for lawyer?

Here are the most useful high school subjects for future lawyers:English. ... Public speaking. ... Social studies. ... Science. ... Mathematics. ... Statistics and data science. ... American history and government. ... Communication.More items...•Oct 5, 2021

What grades do I need to study law?

The minimum requirement to study law is a NQF level 4 certificate, which is a National Senior Certificate or a Senior Certificate. For most universities, a minimum Admissions Point Score (APS) of 21 points is needed for admission, but you'll find that certain universities require a minimum of 33 points to study law.Apr 14, 2021

Can I study law after 12?

Law is regarded as one of the most prestigious degree courses after the 12th. In India, students can take up the legal degree once they've completed a graduation degree (UG) in almost any discipline. Also, aspirants can pursue law courses after 12th arts, commerce and science as well.

Middle Schoolers are Naturally Interested in Social Issues

As young adolescents, middle schoolers are transitioning from being children to entering the world of adults. As a result, their interests are changing, too. They are discovering that the world is more complex. It is no longer black and white with heroes on one side and villains on the other.

Civil Rights in the Classroom

This year our students expressed an interest in learning more about the country’s current racial tensions and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. In response, we created 18 day field trip focused on civil rights. During this trip, students will see first hand how racism still plays a major role in America’s culture.

Following the Civil Right Trail

With a strong historical foundation in place, it is now time for the class to hit the road. Starting next week, they will be traveling throughout the Southeast U.S. to important sites of the Civil Rights Movement. They will maintain the 50+ year AMS tradition of visiting Penn Center, an important education and retreat center in South Carolina.

Follow Our Progress

You can follow the trip’s progress on the school’s Facebook page . We will be posting student entries and pictures from their experience on the road daily. If you are interested in seeing the exciting ways our students are learning about civil rights, please follow us and stay engaged.

What to do if your school is trying to limit your First Amendment rights?

Contact the ACLU if you believe your school is trying to limit your First Amendment rights. 2. Dress codes. While schools are allowed to establish dress codes, students have a right to express themselves.

Why did the ACLU sue schools?

Last year, the ACLU sued several school districts for requiring families to prove their immigration status in order to enroll their children in school. Students with limited English proficiency cannot be turned away by schools, which must provide them with language instruction.

Why did the ACLU suspend students for wearing armbands?

Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), the ACLU successfully challenged a school district’s decision to suspend three students for wearing armbands in protest of the Vietnam War. The court declared that students and teachers do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”.

What to do if you are told to comply with a dress code?

If you are told to comply with a dress code that you believe is discriminatory, contact the ACLU. Complying with the dress code will not prevent you from challenging it at a later date. 3. Immigrant rights. Schools cannot discriminate against students on the basis of race, color, national origin.

Can schools discriminate against immigrants?

Schools cannot discriminate against students on the basis of race, color, national origin. Undocumented children cannot be denied their right to a free public education, but some schools continue to create exclusionary policies. Last year, the ACLU sued several school districts for requiring families to prove their immigration status in order to enroll their children in school.

Is bullying a problem for LGBT students?

Bullying of LGBT students can be pervasive at schools, and is all too often ignored or encouraged by the schools themselves. LGBT students have a right to be who they are and express themselves at school. Students have a right to be out of the closet at school, and schools cannot skirt their responsibility to create a safe learning environment and address incidents of harassment.

Does the ACLU support the right to wear an anti-abortion armband?

Over the years, the ACLU has successfully defended the right of students to wear an anti-abortion armband, a pro-LGBT t-shirt, and shirts critical of political figures. The ACLU has even defended the rights of high school students who wanted to protest the ACLU. Contact the ACLU if you believe your school is trying to limit your First Amendment ...

How to prepare for law school?

1 . Take advanced classes. College is difficult, and law school is even harder.

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

These skills include: Problem-solving. Reading comprehension. Spoken and written communication. Research. Organization and time management. Critical thinking.

How to prepare for the LSAT?

Learning strategies and best practices for succeeding at standardized tests can prepare you for eventually taking the LSAT. 8 . Practice public speaking and writing. Communicating skillfully and clearly is important, both in applying to and succeeding in law school. 4  Even in high school, you can start practicing these skills.

What are the skills that high schoolers need?

Critical thinking. Community involvement and public service. As early as high school, you can begin pursuing classes and extracurriculars that help you improve and grow these skills. 1 .

How to improve your chances of getting into college?

These steps will also improve your college admissions chances and prepare you for doing well in undergraduate classes. Look for hands-on experience. Even as a high school student, you might be able to gain hands-on experience in the legal profession. Whether it’s a summer job or an internship for course credit ...

What is more important than your major?

More important than your major are your grades 4  and your relationships with faculty members. 5  You’ll need a high GPA and strong recommendations for law school, which means you’ll need to do well in your classes and get to know at least a few faculty members. 6 . While you’re considering which college to attend, ...

Do law schools matter?

However, most law schools state that undergraduate major doesn't matter.

What are students' rights in school discipline proceedings?

What Are Students' Rights in School Disciplinary Proceedings? Students have constitutional due-process rights when public schools accuse them of misconduct. They also have other rights under federal and state laws. If your child is facing suspension or other school punishment, you’ll want to know how the decisions will be made ...

What to do if your child is subject to a criminal charge?

If there’s any chance that your child could be subject to criminal charges as well as school discipline, you should talk to an attorney immediately , before your child speaks to anyone about the incident (including school officials or law enforcement officers working on campus). Lawsuits.

What is ACLU guidebook?

The ACLU chapters in many states across the country publish online guidebooks that give details about students’ rights in those states related to school discipline. (You can look for guidebooks on the website for your local ACLU chapter.)

What is the IDEA for special education?

If your child has disabilities, you should know that the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has rules for disciplining special education students, including special procedures for expelling or imposing long-term suspensions for misconduct that is a “manifestation of the child’s disability.”.

How long can a student be suspended from school?

When public school students are expelled or suspended for 10 days or longer, most courts (and schools) agree that they should have the opportunity to participate in a more formal disciplinary hearing, where they can present evidence and witnesses. Before the hearing, the school should give the student a list of its witnesses and the events they’ll testify about. Other requirements vary among states, like whether the student has the right to question the school’s witnesses, whether school officials can talk about statements made by someone who isn’t at the hearing (known as hearsay evidence), and the process for appealing the hearing officer’s decision.

What is due process in school?

Supreme Court has held that students are entitled to due process when they’re barred from public school “for more than a trivial period” ( Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975)). Essentially, this means they have the right to defend themselves in a fair hearing. When the suspension is for less than 10 days, the High Court spelled out minimum due process requirements. The student is entitled to receive at least:

What to do if your child is being unfairly disciplined?

If you believe your child has been unfairly disciplined because of disability, ethnicity, or gender, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights or the U.S. Department of Justice. You may also want to consult with a lawyer.

How to learn your rights as a public school parent?

Start by checking the standards of your state’s Department of Education, from Alabama to Wyoming. After looking to state laws, turn to your school district and child’s school for answers.

Why are civil rights laws in place?

Civil rights laws are in place to protect students from bullying at all federally funded schools. Teachers and fellow students cannot harass your children about their race, national origin, color, sex, disability, ethnicity, or religion.

What to do if you are hassled by school?

If you’re consistently hassled, it’s a violation of federal law. For assistance, you can contact school district officials, an attorney, the Office of Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education (800-421-3481), or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

What is the right of parents to inspect their child's education records?

Right to information and participation. Parents have the legal right, via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA, 1974), to inspect their child’s educational records at the school, to have them explained if necessary, to request updates and corrections, and to have their child’s education records sent to another school in ...

What happens if a girl is prevented from attending school?

Girls also have the right to receive equal athletic opportunities. If your student is gay, they have a right to take a same-sex date to the prom.

How many states require schools to notify parents of bullying?

Eight states (Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia, Wisconsin) have laws that require schools to notify parents if their child is being bullied, or is bullying other students, and 16 other states require schools to develop local policies.

What can schools demand payment for?

What most schools can demand payment for is overdue library books, school lunches (unless a student qualifies for a free lunch), and student groups. If your child’s school insists on payment for an item or service that you believe should be free, you can ask the principal for the cost to be waived.

How to sue a school for a violation of your child's constitutional rights?

Article Summary X. To sue a school, first decide if you have reasonable grounds to sue, such as the school violating your child’s constitutional rights . Gather any evidence you have of the offense, such as staff and student statements, copies of emails, and photos.

How to file a lawsuit against a school district?

In most cases, you must work with the school district to resolve any problems before you can file a lawsuit. Check the district's website and look for a phone number or address you can use to file a complaint.

What happens if you are not satisfied with the actions taken by the school district?

If you're not satisfied with the actions taken by the district, you may have the ability to sue the school and the school district at that point.

What to do if you can't find a form to use?

If you can't find a form to use, you may have to draft a letter yourself. This should be a formal letter that details your cause of action and states that you intend to sue the school for that reason. Typically, you also must cite the law or policy that you believe the school has violated.

How long does it take to respond to a school's notice of intent?

In most cases, if you're going to sue a public school, you must first send the school or school district a notice of intent to sue and give them an appropriate amount of time to respond, typically 30 days. Many school districts have a form you can use for your notice of intent to sue.

What can be used as evidence in a school?

Photos or diagrams of the part of the school where the incident took place also can be used as evidence. For example, if your child was the victim of a bully, you might use a map of the school to mark where the encounters with the bully happened. You'll also need documentation of any damages you've suffered.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

What are the most common violations of the rights of students?

That is, of children attending school. The rights of free speech, free press, free association, and freedom from unwarranted search and seizure are points of contention between school administrators and students, and have been for decades.

Why is student rights violated?

The other basic reason for violation of student rights has to do with the goal of school — to educate. If an act of a student can interfere with the educational process, that act may, in many cases, be suppressed.

What is the Supreme Court ruling in Tinker?

The Supreme Court said in Tinker that " [If] conduct by the student, in class or out of it, which for any reason — whether it stems from time, place, or type of behavior — materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others is, of course, not immunized by the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech." This is the hinge upon which many cases turn when a school violates a student's free speech protections. In Bethel School v Fraser (478 US 675 [1986]), the Court ruled that a school was not violating a student’s rights when it suspended a student for the use of crude language in a speech to a school assembly. Said the Court: "It does not follow ... that simply because the use of an offensive form of expression may not be prohibited to adults making what the speaker considers a political point, the same latitude must be permitted to children in a public school... The determination of what manner of speech in the classroom or in school assembly is inappropriate properly rests with the school board."

What were the rules for a TLO search?

Rules were established for searches, such as reasonableness, not excessively intrusive, and related to the offense that is being investigated. In the TLO case, a search of a student's purse, the purpose for which was to find cigarettes the student was suspected of smoking on school grounds, was upheld.

What is the meaning of "loco parentis"?

One of the most basic reasons is known as in loco parentis. This Latin phrase basically means that while a student is in the custody of a school, the school can and often should act as a parent.

What is the Supreme Court ruling in Board v Barnette?

In Board v Barnette (319 US 624 [1943]), for example, the Supreme Court ruled that students could not be forced to recite the Pledge of Allegiance nor otherwise salute the flag against their will.

Why does power exist in schools?

It is clear the that power exists on school grounds; since the power exists to provide a safe environment for learning , it may be a short leap for some schools to make to insist that they also have the power to prevent drugs or weapons from even entering school grounds.

Why can't schools base dress code?

This is because, under federal laws protecting against discrimination in education, Title IX and the Constitution’s equal protection guarantee , schools can’t base either a dress code or its enforcement on sex stereotypes — generalizations about what types of clothing or appearance are appropriate for a boy or a girl.

Who has modified the school policy?

The state attorney general has ordered the school to modify its policy, and the ACLU, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights have jointly filed a complaint with the state education department on her behalf.

Why was Summer threatened with arrest?

Last week, a school principal and security guard threatened a senior named Summer at Hickory Ridge High School in Harrisburg, North Carolina, with arrest for violating her school dress code because she was wearing a shirt that showed her collarbone and shoulders.

Is dress code discriminatory?

Dress codes can’t be explicitly discriminatory. That means that while dress codes may specify types of attire that are acceptable, these requirements should not differ based on students’ sex or their race, for that matter — though race distinctions in dress codes tend not to be overt.

Can a dress code require a girl to wear a dress?

For example, a dress code can’t require girls, and only girls, to only wear skirts or dresses and boys, and only boys, to wear pants or a jacket and tie. The same goes for ceremonial events and special occasions, like prom, yearbook photographs, or graduation.

Do public school students have to be allowed to express their views?

The Supreme Court has recognized that public school students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”. The First Amendment prohibits schools from picking and choosing which views students are allowed to express.

Is Malden dress code racial?

Though today’s dress codes are unlikely to be explicitly race-based, there can also be stark racial overtones. The Malden policy — in addition to prohibiting hair extensions, a style predominantly worn by Black girls — also prohibits “hair more than 2 inch ( sic .) in thickness or height.”.

Speech Rights

See more on aclu.org

Dress Codes

Immigrant Rights

Disability Rights

LGBT Rights

Pregnancy Discrimination

Short-Term Suspensions

• Students’ rights to “due process” vary depending on the seriousness of the possible outcome. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that students are entitled to due process when they’re barred from public school “for more than a trivial period” (Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565 (1975)). Essentially, this means they have the right to defend themselves in a fair hearing. When the suspension is for les…

See more on lawyers.com

Long-Term Suspensions and Expulsions

Right to A Lawyer?

Other Constitutional Rights

Discrimination in Discipline?

Speaking with A Lawyer