Education Rights

BDS works to preserve the education rights of students who are threatened by the criminal legal system, parents who are targeted by the family regulation system and young people whose educational needs are not being met.

Punitive and restrictive behavioral discipline policies negatively affect students and often push students out of school and into the criminal legal system. We work to reduce these policies and to advocate for young people who are incarcerated to receive access to equitable education services. When children are removed from their home due to ACS involvement, we enforce parents' rights to remain involved and make decisions about their children's education. BDS also fights to ensure that all students receive the support they need to facilitate successful learning, including language, translation, and interpretation services.

Resources

Testimony

BDS Testimony on School Reopening

Letter

NYC Defender Letter on Educational Neglect Calls During the COVID-19 Crisis

Testimony

BDS Testimony on Remote Learning