While the law treats children differently from adults in some respects, children have legal rights. While children’s rights are not necessarily less than those of adults, they are different. School-age children are required to comply with school policies, for example, yet they retain the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, provided that the exercise of such rights does not disrupt the educational process. An array of additional federal, state, and local laws protects children’s civil rights.
One such federal law is Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which requires equal treatment of male and female students in educational programs and activities receiving federal funding. While many people think of sports when they think of Title IX, this statute also applies to academics. Some of the main areas Title IX covers are access to higher education, career education, education for pregnant and parenting students, employment, the learning environment, math and science education, sexual harassment, standardized testing and technology. Other federal statutes protect students with special needs or those in need of accommodations for a disability: these are the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
At Raffaele & Associates, we know the law and are prepared to aggressively advocate for your child’s rights. Our dedicated children’s rights lawyers can handle a wide range of children’s rights disputes, including those involving student free speech and other student First Amendment rights, Title IX violations, sex discrimination in school, sexual harassment in school, bullying, religious discrimination in school, racial discrimination in school, accommodations in school, civil rights in school, children’s constitutional rights, school discipline, corporal punishment in school and matters arising under the ADA, IDEA and Section 504. As lawyers for children’s rights, we firmly believe that children’s rights do not end at the schoolhouse gate. All children, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status, are entitled to an education that is free from discrimination.
The attorneys of Raffaele & Associates are dedicated to providing skilled, experienced legal counseling and representation to protect the rights of children and their families throughout Pennsylvania. Contact us today to learn how we can help you and your child.
