Educational Rights & Advocacy
Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, included, and able to access their education. When problems happen at school—whether involving bullying, discrimination, discipline, language barriers, disability, attendance, or another concern—families may not always know what the school is required to do or where to turn for help.
This page brings together local advocacy resources, student-rights information, and educational materials for Montgomery County students and families navigating concerns with a school.
Local Advocacy & Support
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU)
Student Services • Special Education • Family Resources • School Support
Montgomery County Intermediate Unit works with more than 200 public, private, charter, career-technical, and other schools throughout Montgomery County and provides specialized educational and student services. Its Office of Student Services is particularly relevant for families navigating special education, assistive technology, transition services, behavioral supports, and other educational needs.
Right to Education Local Task Force 23 — Montgomery County
Parent Advocacy • Special Education • Family Education • Systemic Concerns
Montgomery County's Local Task Force is a parent-majority organization that brings together families, school districts, the MCIU, county agencies, disability organizations, and other community representatives. The group works to identify and address both individual and systemic issues affecting students receiving special education services, improve programs and services, monitor parent satisfaction, and provide free public workshops about special education.
Email: localtaskforce@mciu.org
Parents Involved Network (PIN)
Parent Support • Advocacy • Behavioral Health • Systems Navigation
Parents Involved Network supports parents and caregivers of children with emotional or behavioral needs and can help families become stronger advocates while navigating child-serving systems.
Montgomery County Student Assistance Program (SAP)
School Concerns • Mental Health • Substance Use • Student Support
Montgomery County's Student Assistance Program helps K–12 students experiencing barriers that may interfere with school success, including mental-health concerns, substance use, behavioral changes, declining grades, family concerns, and other challenges. Anyone—including a parent, family member, teacher, school employee, or friend—can refer a student to SAP. Participation is voluntary, parental consent is required before interventions begin, and there is no charge for participation.
Email: SAP@montgomerycountypa.gov
Montgomery County Office of Children & Youth — Truancy Intervention
Attendance • Truancy • Family Support
Montgomery County's Office of Children & Youth provides and coordinates services intended to address truancy and support educational success when school-district interventions have not resolved attendance concerns and a referral has progressed through the legal process.
Pennsylvania Department of Education (2021) created a toolkit of information to support professionals working with students and families to increase student attendance
Free Education Rights & Advocacy Help
Education Law Center — Pennsylvania
Student Rights • Discrimination • Discipline • Bullying • Educational Equity
ELC works to protect the educational rights of Pennsylvania students, particularly students facing barriers related to poverty, race, disability, language, immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation, homelessness, foster care, and other circumstances. ELC also provides a free statewide helpline offering information, referrals, legal advice, and advocacy in eligible education matters.