Center For Law & Education

When it comes to navigating the complex landscape of education rights and ensuring every student has access to a quality education, having knowledgeable and dedicated legal support can make all the difference. For residents across Massachusetts, the Center For Law & Education stands as a vital resource, committed to making the right to high-quality education a reality for all students, with a particular focus on assisting low-income students and communities.

The Center For Law & Education (CLE) is a distinguished non-profit organization with a long-standing history of advocating for equitable and accessible education. Rooted in both civil rights and school reform, CLE’s mission is to address systemic barriers that often impede low-income students – who are disproportionately students of color, English learners, and students with disabilities – from achieving high academic standards and staying in school. They serve as a national support center, providing invaluable expertise in the legal rights and responsibilities of students and school personnel, and actively contributing to the shaping of national legislation and policies. This dedication to justice and educational equity is what makes CLE a significant player in the Massachusetts legal and educational community, striving to empower families and communities to effectively address their education problems.

The Center For Law & Education's Boston office is conveniently located at 105 Chauncy St Suite 3, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111, USA. This central location in the heart of Boston makes it accessible for individuals and families seeking their services. The building is situated in a well-connected area, allowing for various public transportation options, including proximity to MBTA subway and bus lines. For those driving, there are typically parking garages and metered street parking available in the surrounding downtown Boston area, though it is always advisable to check current parking regulations and availability. Their office hours are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, providing ample opportunity for Massachusetts residents to connect with their team.

The Center For Law & Education offers a wide array of services, drawing on extensive educational and legal expertise to support educators, policymakers, program administrators, parents, students, and advocates. Their work often involves targeted litigation, legislative and administrative advocacy, and providing comprehensive support to ensure students' rights are protected and expanded.

Services Offered:

• Legal assistance and support to attorneys in Massachusetts representing low-income students in education matters.
• Reviewing student records to assist counsel in identifying potential legal claims.
• Drafting demand letters related to education law issues.
• Federal and state legislative and administrative advocacy to protect and expand students' rights to high-quality education.
• Working to make schools accountable to students and their families through enforcement and implementation of key education acts, such as Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Addressing civil rights statutes, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, national origin) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (disability).
• Conducting trainings for a wide range of audiences, including attorneys, advocates, educators, parents, and students.
• Publishing legal manuals, tools, and other materials that integrate educational research and practice with law and policy.
• Collaborating with educators and communities on school reform initiatives to implement key elements of educational policy and practice.
• Providing systematic statewide legal advocacy and legal service support, particularly focused on securing rights to quality education for the poor in Massachusetts and other states.
• Offering information, advice, and representation in education law cases.

The Center For Law & Education boasts several key features and highlights that underscore their commitment and impact within the Massachusetts community and beyond. Their long history of shaping education policy and their focus on systemic change set them apart.

Features / Highlights:

• Over 55 years of playing a major role at both state and federal levels in shaping crucial education statutes, including Title I, the Perkins Act, and IDEA.
• Leading efforts to promote and enforce high-quality education provisions found in these statutes.
• Successful advocacy that ensures all students are entitled to learn to the same challenging academic content standards (Title I).
• Ensuring students in career and technical education receive integrated academic and technical instruction and robust practical experience.
• Litigating landmark cases, such as Morgan v. Hennigan, which articulated the right of African-American students to equal educational opportunities.
• Securing due process rights for students facing disciplinary exclusion (Goss v. Lopez).
• Establishing the right of students with disabilities, including incarcerated youth, to receive meaningful, specially designed instruction (e.g., Smith v. Wheaton; James O. v. Marston).
• Successfully challenging Massachusetts's "zero tolerance" school discipline law (L.B. v. O'Connell) and discriminatory practices targeting immigrant students.
• Challenging systemic failures to provide special education to multilingual learners with disabilities in their native language.
• A focus on addressing discrimination based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, language, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigrant or migrant status, or disability.
• Recognized as a vital resource and support organization for legal services programs and volunteer lawyers representing low-income students in education law matters.

While the Center For Law & Education primarily operates as a non-profit advocacy and support organization, focused on systemic change and providing backup assistance to legal aid attorneys, they do not typically offer direct promotions or special offers in the traditional sense of a private law firm. Their "promotions" are more in line with their mission to expand access to justice and legal education. For instance, organizations like Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE), which works in conjunction with various legal entities in Massachusetts, might offer special rates for legal education passes or scholarships for legal services staff attorneys and pro bono practitioners, reflecting a broader commitment to supporting the legal community that often aligns with CLE's goals. Similarly, fellowship programs like the Rappaport Fellows Program in Law and Public Policy and the BBA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Summer Fellowship Program offer stipends and internships to law students committed to public interest, providing invaluable experience in fields that often intersect with CLE's work. Individuals seeking assistance should contact CLE directly to understand how their services apply to their specific situation, as eligibility often depends on income and the nature of the educational issue.

To learn more about the Center For Law & Education and their critical work, or to inquire about their services, please use the following contact information:

Address: 105 Chauncy St Suite 3, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02111, USA

Phone: (617) 451-0855

Mobile Phone: +1 617-451-0855

For additional information, it is recommended to visit their official website, which offers a deeper insight into their mission, history, and the various ways they support students and communities.

The Center For Law & Education is an indispensable resource for locals in Massachusetts, particularly for those who feel marginalized or underserved within the education system. Their unwavering focus on low-income students, students of color, English learners, and students with disabilities ensures that the most vulnerable populations have a powerful advocate in their corner. Unlike private practices that might focus on individual cases for a fee, CLE works to create systemic change, impacting not just one student, but potentially thousands through their policy advocacy and landmark litigation. This means that by supporting and utilizing CLE's resources, Massachusetts communities are investing in a more equitable and just educational future for everyone. Their long history of success in shaping education laws and ensuring accountability for schools makes them a trusted and effective partner for anyone striving to improve educational outcomes in their local area. For parents struggling with special education needs, civil rights violations, or general access to quality schooling, knowing that an organization like the Center For Law & Education exists in their state provides a crucial safety net and a pathway to justice. Their dedication to empowering communities to address their own education problems further solidifies their role as a vital local institution.