Washington LawHelp

General Info (8)+

• A Guide for Public School Students in WA

  This guide provides general information on students' rights in Washington state public schools. It is not meant to provide legal advice. This guide does not address the rights of students in private schools tribal schools public colleges or universities. Read More

  By:

  ACLU

• Education Advocacy Manual

  While there is a special focus on the needs of foster children in the manual, the comprehensive information may be helpful to anyone who wishes to advocate for a child’s education. Included are chapters covering basic education rights, special education law, discipline, and resources for young people transitioning to adulthood. Also included is an extensive resource guide with links to Washington State and federal education law. Read More

  By:

  TeamChild

• Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You from Discrimination at School

  Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”), 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., is a Federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and parental status—in educational programs and activities. All public and private schools, school districts, colleges, and universities receiving any Federal funds (“schools”) must comply with Title IX.* This publication will explain things you should know about your rights. Read More

  By:

  U.S. Department of Education

• Resource guide for families who have a child with a medical, developmental, mental health or behavioral health condition

  A list of services and info if you have a child with a medical, developmental, mental health or behavioral health condition. Learn more about support, health insurance, growth and development, recreation, and assistive technology. Read More

  By:

  The Center for Children with Special Needs

• School Rights For Immigrant and Refugee Children and Their Parents in Washington State

  All children living in the United States have a right to go to public school free through 12th grade. Their immigration status does not matter. This publication explains this and other school rights. Publication #1112EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

• Students Rights and Responsibilities in the Digital Age

  Communicating with electronic devices and on the Internet – whether through text message, chat, e-mail, Facebook, blogs, Twitter, Tumblr, image boards or countless others – raises both new and old questions about your legal rights. This booklet provides information about legal rights online and the limits to those rights. Read More

  By:

  ACLU of Washington

• Video - Students with Life Threatening Conditions: School Requirements

  Before a student with a "life threatening condition" can begin school, the school has to have a medication or treatment order addressing the condition. Read More

  By:

  Office of the Ombuds

• Video - Your Rights Under the IDEA: A Video in ASL

  An overview of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and the rights of parents and guardians. Explains the processes available in WA to resolve disputes regarding special education services. Also covers the rights of deaf parents to have interpreter services provided when their children are enrolled in special education services. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

  Read this in:

  American Sign Language

Education and homeless youth (4)+

• Educating Homeless Children and Youth

  Homeless children and youth sometimes need help enrolling and participating in school. Various individuals can, and should, step forward to provide assistance. Parents, relatives, family friends, school and school district personnel, shelter providers, youth program workers, social workers, advocates, and the students themselves can all play a role in helping young people get an education. If you are such a person, this booklet will get you started. Read More

  By:

  National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

• Educational Rights of Students Who Are Considered Homeless

  If you are a student in preschool through 12th grade and you are considered homeless or you don’t have a regular place to sleep, this guide is for you. You have a legal right to an education and support from your school. This guide tells you about your rights, the laws that protect you, and resources to help you. Read More

  By:

  Columbia Legal Services

• Homeless Youth & Education

  Questions and answers about education issues for homeless youth. Read More

  By:

  Columbia Legal Services

• Video - The Right to Transportation for Homeless Students

  About 1 in 25 students in the state of Washington is experiencing homelessness. A young man who experienced homelessness as a student shares his story. Homeless liaisons working for a school district share information about legal and social supports for homeless students. Read More

  By:

  Columbia Legal Services

Truancies and School Attendance (2)+

• Attendance Counts!

  Skipping a class or full day of school can really add up over time. Find out how your missed days affect your chances of graduating on time! Read More

  By:

  Get Schooled!

• Truancies and School Attendance

  Information about what happens when your child does not attend school and the school files a truancy action. #1134EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Videos (3)+

• Video - The Right to Transportation for Homeless Students

  About 1 in 25 students in the state of Washington is experiencing homelessness. A young man who experienced homelessness as a student shares his story. Homeless liaisons working for a school district share information about legal and social supports for homeless students. Read More

  By:

  Columbia Legal Services

• Video - Your Child's Rights Under the IDEA

  This video describes your child's rights under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These are federal laws, so the information is true for every state. This video will teach you about setting up an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and what to do if the school is not following the IEP. Read More

  By:

  Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Video - Your Rights Under the IDEA: A Video in ASL

  An overview of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA) and the rights of parents and guardians. Explains the processes available in WA to resolve disputes regarding special education services. Also covers the rights of deaf parents to have interpreter services provided when their children are enrolled in special education services. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

  Read this in:

  American Sign Language

Working with the School (6)+

• Education Advocacy Manual

  While there is a special focus on the needs of foster children in the manual, the comprehensive information may be helpful to anyone who wishes to advocate for a child’s education. Included are chapters covering basic education rights, special education law, discipline, and resources for young people transitioning to adulthood. Also included is an extensive resource guide with links to Washington State and federal education law. Read More

  By:

  TeamChild

• How to be an Education Advocate

  Family involvement in education means the active participation of families, legal guardians and caring adults in their children’s school lives. Family involvement is most effective in partnership with teachers and other school staff. Read More

  By:

  Office of Education Ombuds

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Parent's Guide to School Board Advocacy in WA

  Th is pamphlet provides a brief description of how school boards function and then guides you through some simple steps to make your voice heard. It can also help you prepare to raise concerns or make suggestions first with the principal or superintendent. Read More

  By:

  ACLU

• Resource guide for families who have a child with a medical, developmental, mental health or behavioral health condition

  A list of services and info if you have a child with a medical, developmental, mental health or behavioral health condition. Learn more about support, health insurance, growth and development, recreation, and assistive technology. Read More

  By:

  The Center for Children with Special Needs

• Video - Students with Life Threatening Conditions: School Requirements

  Before a student with a "life threatening condition" can begin school, the school has to have a medication or treatment order addressing the condition. Read More

  By:

  Office of the Ombuds

• Video - Your Child's Rights Under the IDEA

  This video describes your child's rights under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. These are federal laws, so the information is true for every state. This video will teach you about setting up an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and what to do if the school is not following the IEP. Read More

  By:

  Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español