California schools may experience protests, walkouts, or demonstrations involving students, staff, or community members. Advance planning helps districts respond consistently, maintain safe operations, and reduce uncertainty during high-visibility events (including those that may draw significant community or media attention). The information below is designed to support planning discussions by providing context and identifying existing resources, rather than prescribing specific response actions.
Federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center includes a Protests at K-12 Schools fact sheet that outlines planning considerations related to supervision, communication, and operational impacts associated with student demonstrations. This resource provides general context that can inform broader safety and administrative planning discussions.
Understanding how student expression applies in a school setting is another planning consideration. California Education Code section 48907 outlines student free expression rights and identifies limits related to substantial disruption, providing legal context for how demonstrations and other forms of student expression may be addressed on campus.
During the planning stages, districts may also consider how walkouts or other forms of protest could affect supervision, safety, and instructional time. Planning discussions may include communication with students, staff, families, and community stakeholders to clarify expectations, identify supervision needs, and review applicable policies in advance of an event. District policies related to student conduct and disturbances can provide helpful context when considering how to approach these events in a viewpoint-neutral and consistent manner.
Additional planning tools to address student protests and demonstrations are available through county offices of education and governance organizations. For example, the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Navigating Student Protests provides planning considerations that can be adapted to a district's needs.
As part of regular safety planning and administrative review cycles, districts may consider whether existing policies and procedures address scenarios involving student protests or demonstrations, including roles and communication practices during disruptions to normal school operations. Reviewing these resources alongside existing policies can support clarity, consistency, and preparedness when protests or demonstrations occur on school campuses.
For questions, contact Risk Control.