Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.
How Basma triumphed in her fight for an education
When Basma* came to the U.S., the public school in her district denied her admission by claiming that her middle school diploma from she received in Syria was a terminal school degree. The school claimed this meant Basma could not attend any additional school grades.
ABLE explained to the principal of the school that Basma was entitled to a free, public education regardless of her school degree from her country of origin. As a result, the principal enrolled Basma. ABLE also advocated for services to help Basma learn English as a second language. The school arranged for that assistance, and now Basma is on the path to high school graduation.
* This client’s name was changed to protect her privacy.