Garden Grove Unified School District Student Bill of Rights

GGUSD Vision & Mission Statement:

We are committed to preparing all students to be successful and responsible citizens who
contribute and thrive in a diverse society. To ensure student success, we will provide a rigorous
and supportive academic experience that motivates all learners to meet high expectations.

Preamble:
The Garden Grove Board Representative Council, the Student Board of Education
Representative, and all students within GGUSD hold that students and their education thrive and
succeed within a safe and secure environment at all schools across Garden Grove. The creation
of the Garden Grove Unified School District Student Bill of Rights, which is written by students
for students and supported by staff, was authored in the 2020-2021 School Year led by the
Student Board Representative and Generation Up Garden Grove. This document was prompted
in order to advocate for a welcoming, engaging, and safe environment for all students across the
district while also providing them with opportunities to guard and enhance their ability to
achieve success, to be college prepared, and to be career-ready in the community.

In Garden Grove, the Garden Grove Unified School District’s mission is to prepare all students
to be successful and responsible in the community. With these ideals, it is the goal of this Student
Bill of Rights to assist schools to fulfill the district’s mission for all students.

Student Bill of Rights

The Right to Receive a Free and Equitable Education

1. All students in the Garden Grove Unified School District have the right to receive free
and equitable education at all levels, including elementary, middle school, and high
school education.
2. All students have the right to be taught by qualified teachers in all levels of the education
system.
3. All students have the right to learn in an environment that does not discriminate and in
one that reflects the diversity of all students, which includes the following: race, ethnicity,
gender, sexuality, religion, culture, beliefs, and capabilities.
4. All students have the right to have access to all the academic and citizenship expectations
of each of their classes, including their grading systems and classroom policies.

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The Right to Access School Resources
1. All students have the right to receive academic, post-secondary, career and life
counseling, and mental health guidance from qualified counselors, teachers, staff, and
mentors.
2. All students have the right to access current technology in school, regardless of class or
economic status, and resources related to their education.
3. All students who can not acquire resources related to their education, but qualify for
financial assistance, have the right to access those resources.

The Right to be Treated Fairly, Equitably, and Respectfully

1. All students have the right to be treated, spoken, and taught with respect and honesty, by
teachers, staff, and students.
2. All students have the right to be informed of school policies, rules, and consequences,
and to be able to question or report any instance of unfair treatment.
3. All students have the right to be able to learn from their mistakes by going through a safe,
educational process based on self-improvement and personal development.

The Right to Freely Express

1. All students have the right to freely express themselves and their beliefs orally, in writing,
visually, and artistically within the school, district, and state policies and laws under an
educational context without fear of facing consequences or retribution.
2. All students have the right to the freedom of existence and beliefs in every area including,
but not limited to: sexual orientation, gender identity, politics, ethics, morals, and
religions, and reserve the right to freely express themselves within the school, district,
and state policies and laws, which exclude any use of profanity, obscenity, property
damage, and physical damage or violation of any person.
3. All students have the right to express themselves through appearance in terms of
religious, spiritual, and cultural beliefs and traditions as long as they abide by the school,

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 district, and state policies and laws, and if it does not prove to be a hazard or danger to
themselves, other students, staff, or school employees.

The Right to Safety and Security

1. All students have the right to be free from verbal, physical, or sexual harassment, assault,
bullying, or any unlawful physical contact inflicted upon them.
2. All students who witness or are involved in a physical or verbal altercation with other
students or staff have the right to have their complaint or grievance be subject to an
investigation by reporting to any person, including but not limited to: teachers,
administration, staff, and parents.
3. All students with needs related to physical health have the right to receive the necessary
medical care, including but not limited to, access to a school nurse or health aid.
4. All students have the right to use the restroom corresponding to their gender identity in a
school setting as needed.

The Right to Privacy and Confidentiality

1. All students and their parents, in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA), have the right to privacy and confidentiality to information
relating to themselves, excluding any required personal information in accordance with
school and district guidelines.
2. All students have the right to separation of home and school life. Unless a school has a
supported suspicion of physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological abuse, neglect, or
endangerment, they may not question a student about their home life without consent. If a
school does have evidence of abuse and related actions, they must report it immediately
as mandated reporters.
3. All students have the right to remain anonymous as witnesses when reporting school
conflicts, altercations, or any grievance they have with other students or employees of the
school.

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 4. All students have the right to have their sexual orientation or sensitive information kept
from their parents or guardians until students tell them themselves, unless the situation in
which this information is withheld violates existing laws or policies.

The Right to Self-Manage and Choice

1. All students have the right to deny self-incrimination when made under duress, and
cannot be forced, under threat of consequence or punishment, or otherwise, into signing
any document that states that they confess to doing something against school policy. This
right excludes instances where a student is under investigation, wherein school and
district policies are applied.

The Right to Participate in School Activities

1. All students have the right to participate in school-sponsored activities and
extracurriculars, including, but not limited to: field trips, clubs, organizations, and sports.
2. All students have the right within school and district policies to fundraise or seek
sponsorships for organizations from sources outside of school. This includes, but is not
limited to: private businesses, community centers, brands, churches, and restaurants. This
right extends to all clubs, sports, or school departments, such as art and music.

The Right to Participate in Civic Activities

1. All students have the right to participate in civic duties in the community, including
volunteering, receiving civic education, voting in local, state, and national elections, and
to be able to participate in school boards, student organizations, councils, or other venues.
2. All students have the right to influence, make decisions, and take part in activities that
will affect their education and academic future, which includes, but is not limited to:
school boards, student representation, student government, student councils, student
petitions, and student protests.

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 3. All students have the right to participate in organizations of their volition, both on and off
school property, as long as they are law-abiding and follow all district and school policies
and legal standards granted by the city, state, and local officials.

The Right to Access

1. All students have the right to access this document.
2. All students have the right to read, analyze, and obtain knowledge about this document.

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Closing Statement
The Garden Grove Unified School District serves tens of thousands of students and families
across the school district and values the voices, needs, and concerns of all those in their
jurisdiction. Focused on providing for the educational needs of students, GGUSD will continue
to support its students and faculty at all schools and hopes to continue to promote its message on
creating successful and responsible students, as well as supporting an environment that
encompasses the diverse campuses across the district. By supporting the implementation of the
GGUSD Student Bill of Rights, a document supported by GGUSD, its students, and faculty, we
ascertain that the list of protected rights will contribute to the efforts promoted by GGUSD.