Right to Education Project's July Newsletter

Welcome to the Right to Education Project (REP) Community Newsletter! We are Legal Aid of NC’s statewide education justice project. We use this newsletter to share information about upcoming events and resources for parents and families, as well as tips on how to help your student feel successful and safe in school.

Please forward this newsletter to anyone that you think might be interested and encourage them to sign up to receive it here!

Para leer este boletín en español, ¡haga clic aquí!

Upcoming Events & Initiatives

Introducing REP Education Advocacy Office Hours: We are excited to introduce our new Education Advocacy Office Hours program! Would your organization like a REP team member to provide technical assistance "office hours" to your team? If you are a North Carolina organization that supports young people and their families, you can request a virtual drop-in where we can answer questions for your team about a variety of topics such as special education rights, school discipline and due process, language access rights, and more. In limited circumstances, we may be able to join an in-person meeting. Click below to learn more about what we can support your team with and to request an Education Advocacy Office Hours session.

Request Form: Education Advocacy Office Hours

Share your Medicaid Story with Legal Aid: We are about to enter the month in which Medicaid beneficiaries in North Carolina may start seeing terminations of coverage, something that we have not seen since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you have a story you would like to share about your experiences with Medicaid? Has using Medicaid been good, frustrating, or even impossible? Legal Aid's Medicaid Lived Experience Project would like to hear from you. Legal Aid can offer a $25 gift for participants who take the time to share a story. Click below to learn more or to share a story.

Share Your Medicaid Story

Resource Spotlight

We are excited to highlight sections of our website!

Check out our website for updated information on enrollment, including:

A guide to navigating enrollment for students in North Carolina.
The definition of enrollment under NC law.
Action steps to take if your student is denied enrollment.
Community resources for support.

Within this resource, you can also check out our Advocacy Toolkit and Overcoming Barriers to School Enrollment video. Each provide an overview of legal rights related to school enrollment, along with practical strategies for ensuring that students are promptly enrolled in and given meaningful access to the school environment.

REP Staff Spotlight

This month we would like to highlight our amazing summer intern!

Rickia Stafford

MLK Intern

Rickia Stafford is a rising 3rd-year law student at North Carolina Central University School of Law. She is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. Rickia has an interest in working in education law and juvenile justice. Upon completion of her JD, she hopes to use her degree to end the school to prison pipeline. Rickia’s hobbies include going to the gym, trying new foods, and spending time with family and friends.

We here at REP absolutely enjoyed having Rickia as part of our team as our MLK Intern this summer. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors!

REP's Tip of the Month!

Who's Who in Enrollment

In most Counties/Districts, to enroll a student, go to the Office of Student Assignment. If you are having difficulties with enrollment, try the following:

1. Physically go to your nearby school or district office and see if a staff member there can assist you.

2. Call the district office and ask to speak to the Director of Student Assignment or send the Director an email with your concerns or questions.

3. If you go to the district office, ask to talk with someone from the Assignment Office, or the Director of Student Assignment.

4. Watch any enrollment tutorial videos that your district may have on their website.

Note: If your student is being denied enrollment, request a written notice of the denial that includes the basis for the denial and your appeal rights.

More Education Resources

Your gift provides legal help to our clients within the prohibitions and conditions enforced by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). As an LSC funded organization, all non-LSC grants and contributions made to us are subject to restrictions in the Legal Services Corporation Act, 42 U.S.C. 2996 et seq. and LSC's appropriations. Learn more.