About
Our Mission
We connect families and young people with pro bono legal representation aimed at slowing the school-to-prison pipeline by keeping kids in school and out of prison. We provide impact litigation through class action and other suits to change the education and youth rights legal landscape. We ensure that financial resources are not obstacles preventing parents and students from obtaining high-quality, zealous legal representation.
Quick Facts
Despite making up only 36% of the student population, Hispanic or Latino students represent more than 45% of the students disciplined in Colorado schools.
Students with disabilities make up only 17% of the student population but represent 29% of students with one or more out-of-school suspension and 21% of students expelled.
In 1975, less than 1% of schools reported having police officers on site. Today, more than 20% of elementary schools and 42% of high schools have on-site student resource officers.
We work with K-12 students enrolled in all public and charter schools in Colorado.
Student Defense Alliance specializes in education law, the juvenile criminal legal system, and the intersection of the two. We help students obtain the resources they need to defend against discriminatory actions in school systems. We partner with students, parents, and attorneys all over the state to retake power and stop the flow of the school-to-prison pipeline.
Fighting for an equitable society begins with fostering an inclusive environment--that starts in the classroom.
