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Every Student is Worthy of a Quality Education

Students have a right to learn — no matter what. The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan helps students in grades K-12 stand up for their rights when they are suspended, expelled, denied special education support, or faced with racism or some other barrier at school. By working together, we can make sure students get the support they need to succeed.

Fighting Injustice,
Supporting our Youth

The costs of dropping out of school are great. Students who do not graduate from high school have a higher risk of living in poverty, being unemployed, having poor health or ending up imprisoned. For our most underserved youth, a diploma provides a valuable advantage: the opportunity to create the future they want and deserve.

Since we began in 1975, the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan has been fighting injustice in our educational system alongside students and parents. When a student faces conflict at school, having someone who cares — someone who knows the system — can make the difference between staying in school or being pushed out.

When we work together to make sure students stay in school, everyone wins.

“Student Advocacy Center helped to get me back in school…. I feel more hopeful knowing I have a chance of catching up and completing my last three years of high school.”

Jordan, 15 years old

Understanding Injustice
in Education

3x

Black students are suspended and expelled at a rate three times greater than white students.

Source: Civil Rights Data Collection

2x

Students with disabilities are twice as likely to receive an out-of-school suspension as their nondisabled peers.

Source: Civil Rights Data Collection

14%

Students who are suspended or expelled are 14 percent more likely to drop out of school.

Source: Civil Rights Data Collection

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NEWS

Know the Facts: School Discipline in Michigan

Know the Facts: School Discipline in Michigan

Zero Tolerance is illegal in Michigan, but our expulsion rates are worse than those before Zero Tolerance was overturned. Last year, 1,396 Michigan students were expelled -- 49 more than in the 2014-2015 school year. In this fact sheet, you will find...

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black students matter tshirt

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