All posts tagged: education

Unpacking the Race, Gender, Disability and Class Implications of Juvenile Detention Decisions

Race, gender, disability and class based injustices happen to our nation’s teens every day, in the mundane decisions that probation officers, caseworkers, and judges make, usually out of public view. An article in Pro Publica documents a judicial decision to detain a 15-year-old Black girl for violation of her probation. The violation involved her failure to properly attend her online school program and keep up with her assigned homework. The judge, citing a “zero tolerance” for probation violations, incarcerated her in May, 2020, in the midst of a massive disruption to the school lives of every American teenager. The decision was made without testimony by the girl’s special education teacher, who had to leave the online hearing to fulfill her other teaching duties. Studies make clear the disproportionate impact of race in all aspects of the juvenile justice process. Those involved in the process tend to see Black teens as more mature and therefore more culpable for their behavior than white teens of the same age. Juvenile detention also disproportionately impacts teens diagnosed with ADHD …

The Education Law Practicum | A Student’s Perspective

Participating in a practicum at the Education Law Center was one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had at Temple.  I first learned about this practicum from the Temple Law School practicum website. I had come to law school really interested in Education Law. I had heard amazing things about the Education Law Center and I knew it was a leader in fighting for civil and educational rights of students and families. So, when I saw this practicum, I knew I had to apply.  The Education Law Center practicum is 3 credits and 10 hours per week. I went to their office twice a week for 5 hours at a time. They just got a new office and it’s beautiful! It’s right in Center City, down the street from City Hall. The first few days of the practicum, you get a really in-depth orientation where you learn about the organization, special education law, and the realities of education in the Philadelphia area. You are then trained in making intake calls for the organization. After orientation …