Human Rights WatchSTUDENT TASK FORCEThe Right to Education Campaign & The Williams Compliance Research Project

Human Rights Watch Student Task Force

Who is STF? How SCV STF started?

• Canyon High: 2006• Valencia High: 2009 • AOC: Spring 2011 • Hart High: Fall 2011 • Golden Valley : Fall 2011

Successful Events• Camp Darfur • Letter Writing Campaign• Child Soldier Campaign• New York Trip UN Presentation • Juvenile Justice – SB9• Mobile Library – 2 established • Human Rights Watch Annual Dinner

Current Campaign…

Right to EducationArticle 26:“Elementary Education shall be compulsory.”

- Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Article 28: “The right to free primary education, the availability of vocational educating, and the need to measures to reduce the drop-out rates.”

Article 29: “Education should foster the development of the child’s personality and talents, preparation for a responsible adult life, respect for human rights as well as the

cultural and national values of the child’s country and that of others.” - Convention of the Rights of a Child

Article 9: A general diffusion of knowledge and intelligence being essential to the preservation of the rights and liberties of the people, the Legislature shall encourage by all suitable means the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral, and agricultural

improvement.”- California Constitution

Local Right to Education Through Court Rulings

Butt v. California (1992)• Public education is “uniquely a

fundamental concern of the State and prohibits maintenance and operation of the common public school system in a way which denies basic educational equality to the students."

Williams v. California (2004)• Everyone has a right to file a

complaint if their rights under the case are violated and this is applied to all schools: ▫ “District self-checks” -

Williams Complaint Process▫ “Sufficient” - Each pupil

must have a textbook or instructional materials, or both, to use in class and to take home.

▫ “Good Repair” - The facility is maintained in a manner that assures that it is clean, safe, and functional.

Williams Compliance

Research Project

Research Phases: Phase I The Williams Posting

Class Room # Has the Form Does not have the Form

Research Phases: Phase II A Look at our own Facilities

Research Phases: Phase III Textbooks & Instructional

Materials Textbook SurveyThis survey is being conducted by the Student Task Force! Please answer as best you can. Return the completed survey to the STF Teacher Advisor. Thank you!

1. Do any classes not have enough textbooks in the classroom for each student to use during class or to take home for after school use? If yes, why not? __________________________________________________________

2. What is the average condition of the textbooks issued to students at this school? __________________________________________________________

3. How many books would you say are in poor condition (old, battered, torn apart, pages missing, etc…)? __________________________________________________________

4. How often do teachers or department chairs request updating editions of textbooks for students to use? What is the average life span of a textbook edition? ____________________________________________________

5. Do you have any concerns about the accessibility of textbooks at this school for student use on and off campus?______________________________________________________________________________

Other Equity Issues Raised from our Research…

• Disparity in rigor of curriculum▫ Class offerings such as

the variety of AP and Honors classes.

• Class tools which are not available for every student ▫ Suggested materials?

• Student programs ▫ Transportation to

athletic events

• “AP tests costs money so students may not be able to afford to take the tests.”

–Valencia Student

• “Sometimes, if enough money is not collected from the students, then no projects like dissections, art projects, science experiments, can happen.” – Hart Student

• “Suggested calculators teachers advise to students can be too expensive, and those specified calculators are not offered to rent in the library.”

– Canyon Student

Educating our Communities

About the Right of Education Using the Williams

StandardsHow do we achieve this at each school site?

Students, Teachers, Parents & Guardians:

Pursuant to California Education Code Section 35186, you are hereby notified that:

• There should be sufficient textbooks and instructional materials. That means each pupil, including English learners, must have a textbook or instructional materials, or both, to use in class and to take home.

• School facilities must be clean, safe, and maintained in good repair.

• There should be no teacher vacancies or misassignments. There should be a teacher assigned to each class and not a series of substitutes or other temporary teachers. The teacher should have the proper credential to teach the class, including the certification required to teach English learners if present.

• A complaint form may be obtained at the school office, district office, or downloaded from the school’s Web site at (Web site address). You may also download a copy of the California Department of Education complaint form from the following Web site: http://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/ce/wc/index.asp.

Local Right to Education Events

Students First Petition

As a student of the Williams S. Hart School District. I request that all students be provided and ensured an equitable and accessible educational experience at each Hart District School.

I acknowledge that as a student, I’m guaranteed to receive instructional materials, clean and working facilities, and proper instruction at my school. I understand that the Williams Standards (Education Code Section 35186) provides for a protection of my educational rights and those of my fellow students.

I urge the Hart District to meet the requirements set forth by the Williams Standards and resolve areas in need of attention. I ask you to act to improve my educational experience.

Meeting our Legislators: Taking our Message to Sacramento

Assemblyman Scott Wilk

State Senator Fran Pavley

Assemblyman Ron Smith

State Senator Steve Knight