Students have the right to a free public education. This includes teaching all students to learn pre-reading and reading skills beginning in kindergarten. It also includes having the opportunity to take challenging classes. Students have the right to attend school without having to pay for textbooks or required field trips.  More information about student fees is provided in the Q and A documents.

Crisis Management Policy
Students have a right to attend school in a safe and welcoming learning environment. This includes learning environments that are free from bullying and harassment.  If students experience harassment or bullying, they should feel safe to report the incident knowing that it will be investigated by school staff. In addition to the Crisis Management Policy, MDE has model policies which provide information about hazing and harassment. 

Student Discipline
If a student is removed from school because the student broke a school rule, the school is required to make sure all students knew that removal was a possible consequence.  A student has some rights to education when they are not allowed to return for six or more school days.  If a student is expelled or excluded from school, the student has additional rights.  The Pupil Fair Dismissal Act contains Information about a student’s rights when disciplined.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. All school districts that receive federal funding are responsible for the implementation of this law. Administered by the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Minnesota Department of Education has no enforcement authority for Section 504. A link to the OCR website is available on this page.