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Fighting Injustice, Supporting Our Youth
The costs of dropping out of school are great. Students who do not graduate from high school have a higher risk of living in poverty, being unemployed, having poor health or ending up imprisoned. For our most underserved youth, a diploma provides a valuable advantage: the opportunity to create the future they want and deserve.
Since we began in 1975, the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan has been fighting injustice in our educational system alongside students and parents. When a student faces conflict at school, having someone who cares — someone who knows the system — can make the difference between staying in school or being pushed out.
When we work together to make sure students stay in school, everyone wins.
“Student Advocacy Center helped to get me back in school…. I feel more hopeful knowing I have a chance of catching up and completing my last three years of high school.”
Jordan, 15 years old
Understanding Injustice in Education
3x
Black students are suspended and expelled at a rate three times greater than white students.
Source: Civil Rights Data Collection
2x
Students with disabilities are twice as likely to receive an out-of-school suspension as their nondisabled peers.
Source: Civil Rights Data Collection
14%
Students who are suspended or expelled are 14 percent more likely to drop out of school.
Source: Civil Rights Data Collection
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NEWS
Honoring Ruth Zweifler
We are heartbroken to share that our founding executive director Ruth Zweifler passed away on Jan. 12, 2025, at the age of 95. In 1974, Ruth and a multi-racial grassroots group of community members founded Student Advocacy Center, beginning more formal activities in...
Student Advocacy Center moves to Co-Executive Director Model as it Celebrates 50th Year
Student Advocacy Center of Michigan’s Board of Directors announced Friday that it is moving to a Co-Executive Director model as it begins to celebrate its 50th year supporting students struggling with school discipline and other academic challenges. This change means...
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