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Weekly Full Policy Report - 8/2
- atenmorin0
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
Know Your Rights: Going Back To School in Arizona
INTRO
It’s that time of year again - Back to School! Sharpened pencils, new notebooks and clean folders are ready to support students and their quest for knowledge. What about students’ rights when it comes to disclosing their identities.
Remember, we all have rights – and depending on our role (student, educator, parent) – our responsibilities reflect these obligations. Check our some reminders and reflections and flexing your rights:
As an Individual:
Identity
You have the right to choose if, when, and how to be out at school. You cannot be punished for sharing your identity in an appropriate way. You have the right to be open about your identity, and local laws do not create a right to discriminate. You have the right to express yourself and what you believe in an appropriate context.
There are no laws in the state of Arizona that demand schools divulge a student’s identity to their guardians or parents.
Protect yourself
You have the right to be free from harassment and bullying. Schools have a legal obligation to offer education free from discrimination. If you believe you are being harassed or discriminated against based on your gender identity or sexual orientation, you can file a complaint here:
Organize Your Peers
Students have the right to help formulate change on campus by organizing their own GSAs.
As an Advocate:
Know your school’s policies and practices. Every district has policies that are designed to protect students from harassment and bullying. Know your district policy, if there is one. If your administration tells you they are just following policy, ask to see the policy in writing.
If you or others are being discriminated against or harassed and bullied, file a complaint.
There will be bills pending in the Arizona Legislature in 2026 - stay updated on new policies and procedures and pay attention to new expectations and practices in your district as they roll out. These bills must pass both chambers (House & Senate) and be signed by the Governor, so don’t buy into the hype!
How to Ensure Your Rights are Respected
We all have rights. Whether one is a student, educator, administrator or parent, each role has their own rights and responsibilities. To ensure your rights are recognized and respected, consider the following measures:
ORGANIZE! Create or join a student organization geared toward community power and collective action. Collective community action can go a long way in changing hearts and minds.
Make notes about any instances of bullying, harassment, and other circumstances that could create a hostile learning environment.
Alert a trusted adult as to what is happening, and share with decision makers (principals, Title IX administrators, school board members) what is happening and the toll it’s taking on your grades, your relationships with peers and family members, and your self-esteem.
If you have been discriminated against or have experienced harassment at school, consider filing a complaint with the Civil Rights division with the Arizona Attorney General here (https://www.azag.gov/complaints/civil-rights)
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
The Arizona Legislature sine die (adjourned their session) on June 27, 2025 until January 12, 2026. We look forward to this next phase of reflecting and strategizing for what’s to come in the next session. If you would like to participate in our Policy & Advocacy work, please let us know!
SCHOOL BOARD ACTION
Did you know that school boards are ripe for extremists and bad-faith actors willing to dismantle the foundations of public education to take over? It’s vital to recognize these threats and deploy a coalition-based multipronged strategy to combat these factors: run quality fair-minded candidates, educate current board members, and activate school community members.
We’re currently taking applications for Hall Monitors to help monitor local public school governing boards. We can train you or your organization on how meaningful this work is to stemming the attacks on some of our most vulnerable youth: trans and nonbinary students.
Hall Monitors are key advocates to understanding local actions and the impacts on students and their families. Hall Monitors will also utilize community supporters to leverage community responses to school board actions. School board meetings are usually held 1-2 times a month and Hall Monitors are able to listen and watch meetings in person or on the school district’s live stream from the comfort of your own home. Monitor Arizona’s school boards by applying to be a Hall Monitor!
CIVIC LITERACY
Are you registered to vote? How about your partner? Your bestie? Your neighbor?
As an Arizona resident, you’re in luck! Arizonans can register to vote ONLINE! Potential voters just need their Arizona ID to be able to complete the application online. Check it out today and send the link to all your Arizona contacts and get your squad registered and ready!
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