Educational Rights and Protections for Refugee and Newcomer Students
FOR PROVIDERS
Educational Rights and Protections for Refugee and Newcomer Students
All children in the United States, regardless of immigration status, English language ability, country of origin, or prior formal education, have the right to free public education and a meaningful education. Refugees and newcomer children are protected under several federal laws and international agreements that support equal access to education and prohibit discrimination.
The resources in this section are designed to help providers, educators, caregivers, and community members better understand the educational rights of refugee and newcomer children and youth, including the rights of English Learners (ELs) and parents or caregivers with limited English proficiency (LEP). These tools can also support advocacy efforts to ensure newcomer children have access to educational services, language support, and protections available under federal law .
RESOURCES: Educational Rights and Protections for Refugee and Newcomer Students
for Providers
Laws and Policies Supporting Equal Access to Education
Equal Rights to Public Education Regardless of Immigration/Citizenship Status
Resource Type: Website
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Resource Type: Website
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Educational Rights and Protections for Newcomer Students
Educational Services for Immigrant Children and Those Recently Arrived to the United States
Resource Type: PDF
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Legal Protections for K-12 English Learner and Immigrant-Background Students
Resource Type: PDF
Source: Migration Policy Institute (MPI)
Know Your Rights: Pregnant or Parenting? Title IX Protects You from Discrimination at School
Resource Type: Website
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Rights of English Learners (ELs) and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Caregivers
Ensuring English Learner Students Can Participate Meaningfully and Equally in Educational Programs
Resource Type: PDF
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Equal Education Opportunities for English Learners
Resource Type: Website
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Dear Colleague Letter: English Learner Students and Limited English Proficient Parents
Resource Type: PDF
Source: U.S. Department of Education
Information for Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Guardians and for Schools and School Districts that Communicate with Them
Resource Type: PDF
Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education
Rights of English Learners (ELs) and Limited English Proficient (LEP) Parents and Caregivers
Combating National Origin Discrimination
Resource Type: PDF
Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education
How to File a Discrimination Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights
Resource Type: PDF
Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education
Submit a Discrimination Complaint
Resource Type: PDF
Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education