While the law treats children differently from adults, children have legal rights. School-age children retain the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, for example, provided that the exercise of such rights does not disrupt the educational process. And an array of federal and Pennsylvania laws protects children by building on their constitutional rights and providing them with vital civil rights.
One such federal law is Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), which (prior to recent attempts to rewrite it by the current administration) requires equal treatment of students of all genders 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. Another set of examples is the federal statutes that protect students with disabilities: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Yet another is Title VI, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, and national origin. And all of these are backed up by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
Raffaele Law is prepared to advocate for your child’s rights and inclusion under each and all of these statutes. Michael Raffaele handles a wide range of children’s rights cases, 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 a lawyer for children’s rights, he believes that children’s rights do not end at the schoolhouse gate. All children, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status are entitled to an education free from discrimination.
Raffaele Law is 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.
