Democracy & Power
IN THIS SERIES
Public schools are more than classrooms. They are where young people first experience what power, justice, and democracy look like in practice.
The Know Your Rights Educational Series was created to help students, parents, and community members understand the laws that protect them and the tools they can use to take action safely and effectively.
This first installment, “The Forbidden Curriculum: Student Activism in Michigan,” was developed in response to recent events at Royal Oak High School, where students organized and spoke out after the approval of a Turning Point USA club. Their actions raised important questions about free speech, safety, and inclusion in public schools.
This series explains what every student, educator, and parent should know about:
Constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful protest
Equal access protections for student clubs and advocacy groups
Title IX and state-level civil rights laws
How to report harassment or discrimination
How to organize safely and effectively within school policy
All information in this series is based on verified, credible sources including the ACLU of Michigan, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, and the Student Press Law Center.
Knowledge is a form of power. Understanding your rights is the first step toward building safer, more inclusive schools and stronger communities.
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Core federal rights, Title IX, and complaints
Title IX and Sex Discrimination — U.S. Department of Education: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination
Sex Discrimination: Overview of the Law: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination/sex-discrimination-overview-of-law
How to File a Discrimination Complaint with OCR: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint/how-file-discrimination-complaint-ocr
OCR: Discrimination Complaint Form: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/file-complaint/ocr-discrimination-complaint-form
Student speech and protest
ACLU of Michigan: “Know Your Rights When You Protest”: https://www.aclumich.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-when-you-protest
ACLU of Michigan: “Know Your Rights When Protesting” one-pager (PDF): https://www.aclumich.org/sites/default/files/field_documents/aclu-mi-know-your-rights-pocket-guide.pdf
ACLU National: “Protesters’ Rights”: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights
U.S. Courts: Tinker v. Des Moines Case: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/educational-activities/first-amendment-activities/tinker-v-des-moines
U.S. Courts: Tinker v. Des Moines facts and case summary: https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/educational-activities/first-amendment-activities/tinker-v-des-moines/facts-and-case-summary-tinker-v-des-moines
Equal Access Act (student clubs)
Equal Access Act statute 20 U.S.C. § 4071 — Cornell LII: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/20/4071
U.S. Code text (GovInfo, official compilation): https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2023-title20/html/USCODE-2023-title20-chap52-subchapVIII.htm
Student media and walkouts (for protest logistics)
Student Press Law Center: “Covering Walkouts and Protests at School”: https://splc.org/covering-walkouts-and-protests/
SPLC: “Covering School Walkouts and Protests” resource hub: https://splc.org/covering-school-walkouts-and-protests/
Michigan law and state guidance (ELCRA and K–12 guidance)
Michigan Dept. of Education: LGBTQ Student Guidance Memo (PDF, Feb 13, 2025): https://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/Memos/2025/02/LGBTQ-Student-Guidance-Memo.pdf
Michigan Dept. of Education: Guidance on educating all children regardless of immigration status (Plyler memo, Jan 16, 2025) (PDF): https://www.michigan.gov/mde/-/media/Project/Websites/mde/Memos/2025/01/Plyler-Memo-Final.pdf
Michigan Civil Rights Department (MDCR) press release on ELCRA expansion (Mar 16, 2023): https://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/news/releases/2023/03/16/elcraupdate
Michigan Legislature: SB 4 of 2023 — ELCRA amendments (official bill page): https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Home/GetObject?objectName=2023-SB-0004
Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of SB 4 (PDF): https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2023-2024/billanalysis/Senate/pdf/2023-SFA-0004-N.pdf
Royal Oak Schools — Title IX Coordinator and reporting path
Royal Oak Schools: Board Non-Discrimination Policy with Coordinator listing:
⇢ Lists Patrick Wolynski, Executive Director, Staff & Student Services, as Title VII, Title IX, and Age Discrimination Act Coordinator, with contact info and address.
Royal Oak Schools: Administration & Departments page confirming Title IX Coordinator role: https://www.royaloakschools.org/district/administration_and_departments