In 2006, I found myself organizing in rural communities across the U.S., from Idaho to Oregon to Iowa and Minnesota. These communities were different in many ways, but they shared one common thread—a desire to improve educational opportunities for their children. Latine youth, in particular, were being pushed into the agricultural workforce—cherry orchards, fishing canneries, meatpacking plants—without the chance to even consider college. It was disheartening.
For many parents, the myth of the American Dream was about creating a better future for their children. Yet, they were watching their children graduate high school only to join them in the fields or factories. Education, the supposed key to opportunity, wasn’t delivering the outcomes they had hoped for.
So, my work shifted. I became a youth organizer and started a program called Jovenes Latin@s Cuentan. It combined cultural work to uplift youth and academic support to encourage them to pursue college. We didn’t just focus on the students, though. We worked with school principals, librarians, and teachers, urging them to embrace diversity and guide all children toward higher education, not just low-wage jobs. And, slowly, change started to happen.
A few years later, back in Los Angeles, I continued organizing—this time in education justice campaigns. The recession hit hard, and I saw students fight tooth and nail to keep their teachers from being laid off. As a first-generation college graduate, I understood the barriers students were facing. In schools where law enforcement officers seemed more accessible than guidance counselors, educational inequity felt even more insurmountable.
These experiences drove me to law school, where I focused on education law. I wanted to transform education systems, particularly in communities like mine, so that schools would be culturally relevant, inclusive, and genuinely supportive of all students. In law school, I interned at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) and worked on cases advocating for English learners. Fast forward to today, and I now serve as a Staff Attorney in the Education Equity Project at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California.
Education law is not just about ensuring fair access to education—it’s about dismantling systems of inequality, one policy at a time.
What Is Education Law and Policy?
Education law encompasses the laws and policies governing educational institutions and the rights of students. It ranges from ensuring that students with disabilities receive proper accommodations to challenging school discipline practices that disproportionately affect students of color. Practitioners work in nonprofit organizations, government agencies, law firms, and policy advocacy groups.
In education policy, lawyers often advocate for systemic reforms. Whether it’s pushing for equitable school funding or advocating for the elimination of discriminatory school discipline practices, education lawyers seek to make schools safer, more inclusive, and more effective learning environments.
Key Resources for Aspiring Education Lawyers
For those who are considering a career in education law and policy, I’ve compiled some helpful readings and organizations to help you get started on your journey.
Reading List:
- The American Bar Association Joint Task Force on Reversing the School-to-Prison Pipeline Preliminary Report
A deep dive into the role of law in dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, a system that disproportionately pushes students of color out of schools and into the juvenile and criminal justice systems.
Link here - Cops and No Counselors: How the Lack of School Mental Health Staff is Harming Students, ACLU
This report discusses the negative effects of prioritizing law enforcement in schools over mental health resources.
Link here - Our Right to Resources: School Districts Are Cheating High Need Students by Funding Law Enforcement
Learn how underfunded schools misallocate resources, diverting funds from educational services to law enforcement.
Link here - The People’s Plan for Police-Free-Schools 2019, Black Organizing Project
A groundbreaking plan advocating for the removal of police from schools and investment in student support systems.
Link here
Direct Service Organizations:
- Children’s Law Center of California
Provides legal representation for children impacted by abuse and neglect, with a focus on securing educational opportunities.
Link here - Learning Rights Law Center
Fights for education equity by providing legal representation to children with disabilities and others who face barriers to education.
Link here - Public Counsel’s Education Rights Project
A comprehensive model combining litigation, legislative and policy change, and direct services to create education reform across California.
Link here
Advocacy Organizations:
- ACLU of Southern California, Education Equity Project
Working on the front lines of legal advocacy for equal education rights in California.
Link here - Children’s Defense Fund
A leading organization working to eliminate discriminatory policies and practices in education.
Link here - National Center for Youth Law
A nonprofit law firm that advocates for the rights of low-income children in public education.
Link here
Conclusion: Why You Should Consider Education Law and Policy
A career in education law and policy offers you the chance to make a real impact. Whether it’s ensuring that students with disabilities get the services they need or challenging inequitable funding practices, education law is a dynamic field with the potential to create systemic change.
If you’re passionate about social justice, policy reform, and helping students access their right to an equitable education, education law might be the perfect fit for you.
If you’re interested in exploring more about education law or need guidance on pursuing a career in this field, subscribe to my blog for updates and insights. Follow me on Instagram and LinkedIn for more tips and resources. Or reach out to me directly to chat!
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