Student Advocacy
Network Institute

A national research, accountability, and discipline institute founded by Bullying Is A Drug.
SANI treats student harm as simultaneously a school safety issue and a civil rights issue.

What SANI Does

SANI helps parents navigate institutional failures by schools, ensuring students receive the protection and justice they deserve.

Challenging Definitional Downgrading

Exposing the practice of schools reclassifying bullying incidents as "peer conflict" to evade mandatory investigation timelines, documentation requirements, and civil rights compliance obligations.

Ensuring Records Access

Guiding parents in using FERPA and state public records laws to compel schools to release incident reports, investigation files, and surveillance footage.

Civil Rights Compliance

Ensuring schools meet their legal obligations under Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504 to protect students from harassment and discrimination.

Definitional Downgrading

Many school districts deliberately reclassify bullying incidents as “peer conflict” to escape mandatory investigation timelines, documentation requirements, and legal accountability. This practice puts students at continued risk.

Bullying definitions varies from state to state
Schools must follow specific statutory frameworks like California Education Code §48900(r)
Timeline violations and documentation failures can constitute "deliberate indifference"
Parents should cite specific legal elements when communicating with districts

Know Your Rights

Title VI

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs.

Title IX

Prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs receiving federal funding.

Section 504

Prohibits disability discrimination in federally funded programs and activities.

FERPA

Grants parents rights to access educational records relating to their student.

Your Right to Records

Schools frequently use “student privacy” as a justification for withholding documentation. SANI guides parents through the proper channels to demand the records they are legally entitled to access.

FERPA requests for educational records relating to your student
State public records laws for incident reports and investigation files
Surveillance footage requests and retention requirements
Communication logs to build evidentiary records of school inaction

Need Help Advocating for Your Child?

SANI provides the tools, knowledge, and support to help families navigate school systems and demand accountability.

Student Advocacy Network Institute