man.png

Access to Justice | Access to Education

School Justice Project (SJP) is a special education legal services and advocacy organization serving older students with disabilities who are involved in DC's juvenile and criminal legal systems.

 

  • Direct Representation

    We empower young people involved in DC’s legal systems through direct representation in court, in school, in the community and throughout their reentry.

    Learn More

  • Systemic Advocacy & Policy

    We advocate for systems change in the education and justice systems through cross-sector collaboration, strong coalitions and our impact litigation and policy work.

    Learn More

  • Community Outreach & Legal Training

    We work with our community to increase understanding of education rights and barriers to education through training professionals and court-involved young people.

    Learn More

News & Updates

Check out our Updates page for more from our team.

  • MITIGATION

    In 2024, SJP advocated for clients during 70 court hearings and mitigated the outcome in 87% of those hearings.

  • ENROLLMENT

    In 2024, 94% of SJP clients were enrolled in an education program.

  • EMPOWERMENT

    In 2024, 88% of SJP clients reported increased empowerment.

  • RE-ENROLLMENT

    In 2024, 100% of clients released from incarceration re-enrolled in school within 30 days of release.

  • DISPROPORTIONALITY

    Generally, 80%-90% of the DC juvenile justice population has special education needs, compared to 15%-20% of the general student population. 100% of students committed to DC’s juvenile justice system are students of color.

  • DEMOGRAPHICS

    In 2024, SJP clients were Black (97%) or Latino (3%).

  • RECOVERING LOST CREDITS

    SJP’s attorneys recovered approximately 25 lost credits and 230 lost hours of community service hours for clients last year

  • COMPENSATORY EDUCATION AWARDED

    4 of SJP’s clients were awarded compensatory education resulting from complaints SJP filed, receiving extended eligibility, 1000 hours of tutoring and counseling services, funding for updated evaluations, and funding for transition services

  • ENGAGEMENT

    83% of SJP’s clients were connected to an enrichment activity and 74% of clients were connected to a social service during their first year working with SJP

  • 2021 GRADUATES

    5 SJP clients celebrated graduations (cheered on by their SJP lawyers) and 3 of those graduates are enrolled in college

Marcel: Reduced Sentence Through Educational Advocacy

In May 2025, SJP Staff Attorney Rebecca Desta represented Marcel, a longtime SJP client, at his sentencing hearing. Marcel had been incarcerated for over six years and had earned his high school diploma two years earlier. With Rebecca’s support, he used his Charles H. v. District of Columbia compensatory education award to access educational materials and programs, including purchasing books and loading educational content onto his jail-issued tablet.

At sentencing, Rebecca highlighted Marcel’s history of educational deprivation and his continued commitment to learning and personal growth. She emphasized the limited educational and mental health supports available in BOP custody, which helped persuade the judge to issue a sentence four years shorter than the government’s recommendation.

Rebecca will continue to support Marcel as he works toward enrolling in a post-secondary program while incarcerated.

Join the SJP Newsletter

Subscribe for periodic news and updates.