Human Right to Education Program

The Human Right to Education Program at NESRI works with education advocates and organizers to promote policy change in public education using human rights standards and strategies. NESRI believes that human rights offer a framework for how to transform our public schools based on internationally recognized standards of equality, accountability, dignity and community participation. The language and values of human rights are powerful tools for mobilizing and uniting communities to hold governments accountable for guaranteeing the right to education.  The program works in collaboration with community partners to generate human rights documentation, analysis, advocacy, public education materials and training resources.

Human Right To Education Program Updates

NESRI Testifies at NYC Discipline Code Hearing
On June 24, 2009, NESRI and other members of the Student Safety Coalition testified at a public hearing held by the New York City Department of Education (DOE) on the Discipline Code.  NESRI criticized changes proposed by the DOE which continue to prioritize zero-tolerance suspensions and removals, and instead recommended that the DOE adopt positive models for discipline that are consistent with fundamental human rights principles for ensuring dignity and the full development of young people.  Read the testimony >>>

Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC) National Conference
On June 5-6, 2009, NESRI co-sponsored the first DSC National Conference, “A Collective Voice for Dignity in Schools,” held at Northwestern Law School in Chicago, IL. Over 150 advocates, organizers, youth, parents and educators from 20 states around the country came together to discuss positive alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline and school pushout.  The goal of the conference was to reframe the national dialogue on school climate and discipline within a human rights framework.   To view a conference photo gallery >>> To learn more and participate in the ongoing work to finalize the National Resolution on Ending School Pushout drafted at the conference visit the DSC website >>>

NESRI’s Teachers Talk Report Featured by Edutopia.org
On May 13, 2009, an article from Edutopia.org, “How to Develop Positive Classroom Management,” featured findings from the recent report, Teachers Talk: School Culture, Safety and Human Rights, released by NESRI and Teachers Unite in October 2008.

DSC Report to UN Special Rapporteur: The Right to Education in the Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems in the United States
On December 31, 2008 the DSC and six organizations submitted a report on the right to education in U.S. juvenile and criminal justice facilities to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Mr. Vernor Muñoz. To learn more>>>

Human Right to Education Program Initiatives

Local Projects on Dignity in Public Schools
NESRI works with community partners at the local level to document violations of students’ right to dignity in schools, and to advocate for discipline and safety policies that teach behavioral skills and conflict resolution so that all children can learn.  The project documents-through extensive interviews and surveys-the experiences and opinions of students, parents and teachers related to the classroom environment, discipline policies, and police involvement in schools. 

In Los Angeles, the project supports the work of CADRE to reduce suspension rates and promote a new district-wide Positive Behavior Support policy.  In New York City, NESRI works with Teachers Unite to document teacher opinions of school safety policies (see Teachers Talk report), and is a founding member of the Student Safety Coalition.  In Louisiana, NESRI mobilized members of the human rights community to take action on the Jena 6 and is working with FFLIC on school to prison issues in New Orleans.  In 2007, NESRI released the report – Deprived of Dignity: Degrading Treatment and Abusive Discipline in New York City and Los Angeles Public Schools.

National Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC)
NESRI is a founding, core group member of the Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC), a coalition of advocates, educators, organizers, and lawyers from across the country  united to reframe the debate around school discipline from one that aims to punish and exclude children from school, to a human rights perspective that respects the child’s right to an education, and advocates for child-centered, dignified reform to keep children in school.  NESRI works with the DSC to host www.dignityinschools.org - a website for sharing information on pushout and developing action campaigns to promote human rights based alternatives to zero-tolerance discipline.

Working with ICOPE to Build a Human Rights-Based School System in NYC
NESRI works with the Independent Commission on Public Education (ICOPE) to support their campaign to design a new public school system in New York City based on human rights principles. 

Youth, Parent & Community Participation in Schools
In every aspect of our work around public education, NESRI promotes the fundamental human right of students, parents and communities to participate in the educational system.  NESRI advocates for greater access to information and decision-making for parents and youth in schools. 

Training Resources
NESRI provides workshops and educational materials for parents and youth on how to use human rights language and strategies in their advocacy.  NESRI recently produced the training manual – Bringing a Human Rights Vision to Public Schools: A Training Manual for Organizers.

Basic Information on the Right to Education

Everyone has a fundamental human right to education.  The human right to education guarantees every child access to quality schools and services without discrimination. Education must be aimed at developing each child's personality and abilities to his or her fullest potential.  For more information on the Right to Education, click >>>