Education Equity
Public education holds the promise of being “the great equalizer” in society, offering every child a chance to grow, progress, and pursue their dreams.
Too often, the current U.S. education system works to reinforce existing inequities, biases, and segregation. Many students never receive an opportunity to succeed, attending schools that fail to provide adequate resources and a quality education. Our work aims to confront these structural racial and economic inequities to help build school communities where every child has a chance to thrive. We unite direct services, litigation, policy change, and community partnerships to advance education reforms in California and nationwide.
Our Areas of Expertise
Our Approach
Every child deserves access to a safe, inclusive, and well-resourced school—regardless of race, gender, language, disability, or zip code. Public Counsel works to advance education equity through a multi-pronged approach.
1
Impact Litigation & Systems Change
We pursue impact litigation to dismantle discriminatory laws and policies that harm students of color, students with disabilities, English learners, and other historically marginalized students. By combining cutting-edge legal advocacy with strategic partnerships, we help drive systemic reforms that expand opportunity for millions of students.
2
Direct Legal Representation
We provide direct legal representation and advocacy support to students and families navigating barriers to education—such as, inadequate special education services, exclusionary discipline, and language access issues. We partner with parents and youth to ensure that students’ rights are upheld and that they receive the services and supports they need to thrive.
3
Community-Based Partnerships
We collaborate with and uplift parent, student, and community-led campaigns to advance education equity. Families and community members who experience underresourced schools firsthand are best positioned to identify solutions and advocate for change. We provide legal tools to help translate their vision for more just and inclusive schools into real-world policy and practice improvements.
Quick Stats
$2 Billion
Settlement with State of California
Dedicated funding to help students who fell behind during the COVID-19 pandemic.
80%
Reduction in LAUSD suspensions
Since LA Unified halted willful defiance suspension and adopted restorative justice practices.
$94.4 Million
For Detroit literacy initiatives
Settlement secured literacy initiative funding for the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
The Latest
Popular Resources
Toolkit
04/03/26
Newcomer Student Education Rights
This toolkit is designed to inform advocates (attorneys and non-attorneys) about the education-related rights of newcomer and undocumented immigrant children, how to assert those rights, and what to do if…
Learn MoreReport
01/28/26
Who Has The Power: Chronicling Los Angeles County’s Systemic Failures to Educate Incarcerated Youth
Los Angeles County officials often dismiss concerns raised by and on behalf of young people, claiming that the education-related issues for detained youth are not systemic. This report seeks to…
Learn MoreGuideToolkit
06/08/25
Fix School Discipline—Community Toolkit
Fix School Discipline – a project of Public Counsel – is a comprehensive resource for students, parents, community leaders, organizations, advocates, school superintendents, principals, teachers, and anyone interested in learning…
Learn More
