Educational Equity Project

School often serves as a child’s first introduction to society outside the home, and behaviors and social norms in school- as well as the skills learned in school- have profound impact on adult lives. Unfortunately, this introduction to society often serves as an introduction to race- and class-dictated social norms, especially for disadvantaged children. Disparities in rate and severity of discipline, the amount of funding for students’ education, classroom size, and other factors establish social disadvantages at a very young age.

Our project hopes to prevent, reduce, and eliminate the known disproportionate complications in the classroom burdening minority and low-income communities in the Chicago area. To do this, we are partnering with a variety of organizations and law firms to help address community concerns about the educational injustices they face. We also present our services at grassroots meetings in needy communities and approach prevalent problems from both litigation and policy advocacy perspectives.

We have started a pro bono program representing students in Chicago Public School expulsion hearings to advocate for a better solution than the child leaving school. If you have a child or know of one that is facing an expulsion please call us to request representation

We invite law firms and individuals to lend the power and prestige of the private bar to our efforts in this area by becoming members of the Lawyers' Committee. In addition, we are seeking volunteers to join our Educational Opportunity Advisory Board. The board will serve as a network of professional resources for the Committee's work in championing equality in the classroom.

Please contact Executive Director Jay Readey for more information on becoming a member of the Lawyers' Committee or to join the Advisory Board.