CLE and LCR file statewide civil rights complaint against career & tech ed admissions policies in Massachusetts high schools
On February 2, 2023, the Center for Law and Education (CLE) and Lawyers for Civil Rights filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for discrimination in the admissions policies used across Massachusetts to admit or reject students applying to career vocational technical education high schools and programs. The complaint was […]
CLE Files Amicus Brief in Boston Exam School Case
CLE filed an amicus brief in Boston Parent Coalition v. School Committee of the City of Boston (1:21-cv-10330-WGY) in support of Defendants and Defendants-Intervenors. The focus of the amicus brief was on the need to ensure that the way the Court articulates the basis for its judgment does not leave room for interpretations of law that would […]
Right to High Quality Education
American Bar Association Calls for Action on Right to High-Quality Education(PDF) Press release announcing ABA’s adoption of three resolutions pertaining to securing the right of every child to a high-quality education. CLE co-director Paul Weckstein, as part of the ABA’s Commission on Youth at Risk, was the primary author of the resolutions and the respective […]
CLE receives prestigious “100K for 100” grant from Cummings Foundation to launch Access to Justice Lay Advocacy Project
The Center for Law and Education is pleased to announce that it has been awarded highly competitive funding from the Cummings Foundation to prepare lay advocates to represent economically disadvantaged Boston public school students at disciplinary exclusion hearings. Studies have shown that increased drop-out rates, lower graduation rates, and inadequate preparation for college and career […]
Remembering Dr. King and our need to continue the struggle
Today as we honor the legacy and contemplate the words and actions of Dr. Martin Luther King, we are reminded of the distance we need to travel. See ‘Outgoing Trump Administration Moves To Eliminate Core Civil Rights Provision‘ -i.e., critical ‘disparate impact’ standard, effective upon publication [1/20/21] and an internal memo from USED’s Office of the […]
Say No to “In Person” ACCESS Testing
CLE with META and Lawyers Committee ask SEA and LEAs to take immediate steps to inform families of EL students in their home languages that they have a right to protect the health and safety of their families and will not be punished ifor not sending their children to school to take the ‘in-person’ ACCESS test […]
A Message from Our Board President
Dear Colleagues, Like many, I mourn the murder of George Floyd. But I am also frustrated by the current pattern of repeating the conversations we have had for years about police abuse of their powers with impunity. It is time for action: we know the problems and we know the solutions, at least enough to […]
[Update] U.S. Supreme Court Grants Stay in “Public Charge” Litigation
On December 10, 2018, CLE submitted comments to the Department of Homeland Security concerning DHS Docket No. USCIS 2010-0012; RIN 1615-AA22 Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds (“Public Charge Rule”). CLE opposed the Public Charge Rule because it would jeopardize the ability of students in immigrant families, both legal and those without documents, to succeed in […]
Do you believe in the right of every child to a high-quality public education?
Learn about how the Center for Law and Education works to make that right a reality, particularly for children in low-income families across the country. Below are just a few examples. (For more information, browse this site.) We also urge you to support our work in this struggle. We need your help now to continue our many efforts, […]
CLE files comments for proposed revisions to 603 C.M.R. 4.00 et seq.
In July 2019, CLE submitted comments to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (the “Department”) 603 C.M.R. § 4.00: Vocational Technical Education Regulations – Including May 7, 2019 Draft of Proposed Revisions for Discussion and Stakeholder Feedback (the “Department’s Draft Changes”). CLE’s comments addressed a wide range of issues, including: equity in admissions, […]
