The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously on June 23 to adopt the Student Bill of Rights, a document written by students for students to help schools provide a welcoming and engaging environment supporting success and achievement.

The resolution was authored by Student Board Member Frances Suavillo and the 37-member Superintendents’ Student Advisory Council. Board Vice President Jackie Goldberg and Board Members Mónica García, Scott M. Schmerelson, Nick Melvoin and Kelly Gonez co-sponsored the resolution.

“There is nothing more powerful than student voice to make schools better, make your community better and change what’s happening in our country today,” LAUSD Superintendent Austin Beutner said.

The desire for the commitment to racial and economic justice prompted the creation of the Student Bill of Rights. It includes the rights to respect and dignity, diversity and inclusivity and the right to a “quality, well-rounded, robust education that prepares them for life beyond high school.”

“I believe that a Student Bill of Rights is so important, especially during times like these,” said Suavillo, who will attend Stanford University this fall. “When students get back on campus, they need to know their rights. Students should know that just because they’re on campus, doesn’t mean that they lose their rights. They should also know when their rights are being violated. This document can aid them with that.”

The Student Bill of Rights will be posted at lausd.net, with drop-down menus that include student responsibilities and examples of how students can exercise their rights. It will also be included in student enrollment packets and displayed at every school.

“When a group of students initially approached me with the idea of drafting a Student Bill of Rights, I knew there was no one better for the job of leading this work than our own Student Board Member Frances Suavillo,” Melvoin said. “I am proud to be a co-sponsor as this effort to protect and [ensure] students’ rights comes to fruition.”