It’s Back to School Season!

In addition to the joys of new school supplies and being reunited with classmates after a scorching summer, students of all ages across North Carolina, and across the country, are facing a new terrain after the Supreme Court ruling that severely limited, if not effectively ended, the use of affirmative action in college admissions. 

Here in North Carolina, several bills have passed that will impact the rights of LGBTQIA people and kids caught in the criminal legal system. ACLU-NC stands ready to oppose anything that jeopardizes individuals' civil rights. The rapid passage of these bills highlights the pressing need for heightened awareness and underscores the critical significance of raising our voices against their implications.

There is a concerning trend of legislation both across the country and here in North Carolina that targets students, especially students of color, LGBTQIA students, and low-income students.

As we continue to work to defend the civil liberties of students, parents, teachers, and librarians, here’s what you should know:  

  • Cops in North Carolina Schools

    Despite clear evidence regarding the negative impact of police on students and school environments, North Carolina continues to devote millions of dollars to placing armed law enforcement officers in schools.

    Our new report highlights the grave consequences of police presence in schools for North Carolina’s children, especially Black youth and students with disabilities.

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  • Affirmative Action

    Affirmative action policies are integral to cultivating a fairer society. These policies are essential tools for addressing inequalities and providing access to opportunities that systemic biases and discrimination might otherwise prevent individuals from attaining.

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  • Anti-LGBTQIA Policy

    The rights of transgender and queer youth to exist in schools and receive a proper education are under attack.

    Here we break down the anti-trans legislation introduced in our state’s schools and our ongoing movement to defend students’ right to be themselves in school.

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  • Classroom Censorship

    The First Amendment gives us the right to read, learn, and engage in discussions about important subjects in educational institutions, and these rights are currently facing challenges.

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  • Book Banning

    Politicians and school boards nationwide are making moves to ban books—predominately those with content that focuses on race and LGBTQIA topics— from public schools and libraries.

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  • Bills to Watch

    These are the bills introduced in this year’s legislative session that could impact students’ access to a safe, inclusive education.

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