Minnesota School Climate Policy

Minnesota Statutes 121A.065-District surveys to collect information; parent notice and opportunity for opting out.

School districts and charter schools, in consultation with parents, must develop and adopt policies on conducting student surveys and using and distributing personal information on students collected from the surveys. The survey is only administered to students

https://education.mn.gov/mde/dse/health/mss/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff and Administrators

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Minnesota Statutes 121A.031 School Student Bullying Policy.

Provides a definition for the terms bullying and cyberbullying as well as the behaviors and consequences associated with these actions.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-031/ 

 Minnesota asks schools to develop and implement procedures to prevent bullying and harassment behavior and the consequences of such behavior. Policies also explain that procedures are needed for reporting an incidence of bullying and investigating it as well as how this policy will be communicated

• Minnesota Statutes 121A.031 School Student Bullying Policy.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-031/

• Minnesota Statutes 121A.0311 — Notice Of The Rights And Responsibilities Of Students And Parents Under The Safe And Supportive Minnesota Schools Act.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-0311/

• Minnesota Statutes 121A.69- Hazing policy.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-69/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.031 School Student Bullying Policy.

Anti-bullying laws cover conduct that occurs on both on- and off-school property. Use of technology and electronic communication conduct is covered when such use substantially and materially disrupts student learning or the school environment

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-031/

Who does this protect? Students, Teachers

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Minnesota schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.

• Minnesota Statutes 121A.035-Crisis management policy.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-035/

Minnesota Statutes 119A.035-School Crisis Response Teams.

In regions of Minnesota where an existing crisis response team has not been formed by a school district, county, or city, the commissioner, in cooperation with the Minnesota School Safety Center, must convene a working group in each region to develop a plan to form a crisis response team for that region.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-119a-119b/chapter-119a/section-119a-035/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.037-School Safety Drills.

Private schools and educational institutions must have at least five school lockdown drills, five school fire drills, and one tornado drill.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-037/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.05-Policy to Refer Firearms Possessor.

A school board must have a policy requiring the appropriate school official to, as soon as practicable, refer to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system, as appropriate, a pupil who brings a firearm to school unlawfully.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-05/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.06-Reports Of Dangerous Weapon Incidents In School Zones.

School districts must electronically report to the commissioner of education incidents involving the use or possession of a dangerous weapon in school zones.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-06/

 Minnesota Statutes 609.66-Dangerous Weapons.

Explains the consequences of possessing a dangerous weapon or firearm on school property and to who this doesn’t apply. 

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-609-624/chapter-609/section-609-66/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Minnesota Statutes 120B.232-Character development education.

Character education is the shared responsibility of parents, teachers, and members of the community. Districts are encouraged to integrate or offer instruction on character education including, but not limited to, character qualities such as attentiveness, truthfulness, respect for authority, diligence, gratefulness, self-discipline, patience, forgiveness, respect for others, peacemaking, and resourcefulness.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-120b/section-120b-232/

Minnesota Statutes 125A.0942 Standard for Restrictive Procedures.

School districts are encouraged to establish effective schoolwide systems of positive behavior interventions and support.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-125a/section-125a-0942/

Minnesota Statutes 122A.627 Positive behavioral interventions and supports.

Explains what positive behavioral interventions and supports are and the requirements for implementing them in school settings.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-122a/section-122a-627/

Minnesota Statutes 256.995 School-linked services for at-risk children and youth.

The program must be designed not to duplicate existing programs, but to enable schools to collaborate with county social service agencies and county health boards and with local public and private providers to assure that at-risk children and youth receive health care, mental health services, family drug, and alcohol counseling, and needed social services.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-245-267/chapter-256/section-256-995/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Minnesota provides students with disabilities the accommodations and resources they need to have an appropriate education.

• Minnesota Statutes 125A.03-Special Instruction For Children With A Disability.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-125a/section-125a-03/

• Minnesota Statutes 125A.08-Individualized Education Programs.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-125a/section-125a-08/

• Minnesota Statutes 125A.027-Local Agency Coordination Responsibilities.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-125a/section-125a-027/

• Minnesota Statutes 125A.023-State Agency Coordination Responsibilities.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-125a/section-125a-023/

• Minnesota Statutes 120B.15-Gifted and Talented Students Programs.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-120b/section-120b-15/

Minnesota Statutes 124D.61 — General Requirements for Programs.

A district that enrolls one or more English learners must implement an educational program that includes at least a written plan of services that describes programming by English proficiency level made available to parents upon request. The plan must articulate the amount and scope of service offered to English learners through an educational program for English learners.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-124d/section-124d-61/

Who does this protect? Students, Students with disabilities

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Minnesota Statutes 124D.50 Service-learning and work-based learning curricula and programs.

The commissioner, in consultation with the commission, shall develop a service-learning program curriculum that includes a policy framework and strategies for youth community service and an infrastructure for mentoring youth.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-124d/section-124d-50/

Minnesota Statutes 124D.19 Community Education Programs; Advisory Council.

Each school board may initiate a community education program in its district and provide for the general supervision of the program. Programs must include:

• Preliminary training for pupil volunteers conducted, when possible, by organizations experienced in such training.
• Supervision of pupil volunteers to ensure appropriate placement and adequate learning opportunities.
• Sufficient opportunity, in a positive setting for human development, for pupil volunteers to develop general skills in preparation for:
  • Employment, to enhance self-esteem and self-worth, and to give genuine service to their community.
  • Integration of academic learning with the service experience.
  • Integration of youth community service with the elementary and secondary curriculum.

  https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-124d/section-124d-19/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Minnesota Statutes 121A.03-Model Policy.

A school board must adopt a written religious, and racial harassment and sexual, religious, and racial violence policy.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-03/

 Minnesota Statutes 363A.13-Educational Institution.

It is an unfair discriminatory practice to discriminate in any manner in the full utilization of or benefit from any educational institution, or the services rendered thereby to any person because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, status about public assistance, sexual orientation, or disability, or to fail to ensure physical and program access for disabled persons.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-363-363a/chapter-363a/section-363a-13/

 Minnesota Statutes 121A.04-Athletic Programs; Sex Discrimination.

Each educational institution or public service shall provide equal opportunity for members of both sexes to participate in its athletic program.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-04/

Minnesota Statutes 124D.74-American Indian Education Programs. American Indian education programs are programs in public elementary and secondary schools, nonsectarian nonpublic, community, tribal, charter, or alternative schools enrolling American Indian children designed to:

• Support the academic achievement of American Indian students.
• Make the curriculum relevant to the needs, interests, and cultural heritage of American Indian pupils.
• Provide positive reinforcement of the self-image of American Indian pupils.
• Develop intercultural awareness among pupils, parents, and staff.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-124d/section-124d-74/

Who does this protect? Students, Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Minnesota Statutes 124D.895 Parental involvement programs.

Model policies under this program will include strategies for training teachers and other school staff to work effectively with parents and guardians.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-124d/section-124d-895/

Minnesota Statutes 122A.187 Expiration and renewal.

The board must adopt rules that require all licensed teachers who are renewing their professional five-year teaching licenses to include in their renewal requirements at least one hour of suicide prevention best practices in each licensure renewal period that are based on nationally recognized evidence-based programs and practices. Initial training must include understanding the key warning signs of early-onset mental illness in children and adolescents, and during subsequent licensure renewal periods, training must include a more in-depth understanding of students’ mental illness trauma, accommodations for students’ mental illness, parents’ roles in addressing students’ mental illness, and de-escalation methods, among other similar topics.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-122a/section-122a-187/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.031 School Student Bullying Policy.

Newly employed school personnel must receive training on prevention, identification, and response to bullying within the first year of their employment with the district or school.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-031/

Who does this protect? Staff, Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

Minnesota Statutes 120B.22-Violence Prevention Education.

A violence prevention program for students in kindergarten to grade 12 that can be integrated into the existing curriculum will be developed and implemented. The purpose of the program is to help students learn how to resolve conflicts within their families and communities in nonviolent, effective ways.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-120b/section-120b-22/

 Minnesota Statutes 120B.21-Mental Health Education.

School districts and charter schools are encouraged to provide mental health instruction for students in grades 4 through 12 aligned with local health standards and integrated into existing programs, curriculum, or the general school environment of a district or charter school.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-120b/section-120b-21/

 Minnesota Statutes 120B.232-Character development education.

Character education is the shared responsibility of parents, teachers, and members of the community. Districts are encouraged to integrate or offer instruction on character education including, but not limited to, character qualities such as attentiveness, truthfulness, respect for authority, diligence, gratefulness, self-discipline, patience, forgiveness, respect for others, peacemaking, and resourcefulness.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-120b/section-120b-232/

Minnesota Statutes 125A.0942 Standard for Restrictive Procedures.

School districts are encouraged to establish effective schoolwide systems of positive behavior interventions and support.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-125a/section-125a-0942/

Minnesota Statutes 122A.627 Positive behavioral interventions and supports.

Explains what positive behavioral interventions and supports are and the requirements for implementing them in school settings.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-122a/section-122a-627/

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Minnesota Statutes 124D.895 Parental involvement programs.

The purpose of the guidelines and model policies developed for parental involvement is to;

• Engage the interests and talents of parents or guardians in recognizing and meeting the emotional, intellectual, native, and English language development, and physical needs of their school-age children
• Promote healthy self-concepts among parents or guardians and other family members;
• Offer parents or guardians a chance to share and learn about educational skills, techniques, and ideas
• Provide creative learning experiences for parents or guardians and their school-age children, including involvement from parents or guardians of color;
• Encourage parents to actively participate in their district’s curriculum advisory committee to assist the school board in improving children’s education programs
• Encourage parents to help in promoting school desegregation/integration
• partner with parents in establishing a positive school climate by developing and implementing prevention and intervention programs on prohibited conduct 

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-124d/section-124d-895/

Minnesota Statutes 124D.8955 Parent and family involvement policy.

To promote and support student achievement, a local school board is encouraged to formally adopt and implement a parent and family involvement policy 

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-124d/section-124d-8955/

Who does this protect? Students, Parents

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

Minnesota schools need to develop plans for dealing with emergencies and explain drills that need to take place during the school year.

• Minnesota Statutes 121A.035-Crisis management policy.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-035/

Minnesota Statutes 119A.035-School Crisis Response Teams.

In regions of Minnesota where an existing crisis response team has not been formed by a school district, county, or city, the commissioner, in cooperation with the Minnesota School Safety Center, must convene a working group in each region to develop a plan to form a crisis response team for that region.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-119a-119b/chapter-119a/section-119a-035/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.037-School Safety Drills.

Private schools and educational institutions must have at least five school lockdown drills, five school fire drills, and one tornado drill.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-037/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.05-Policy to Refer Firearms Possessor.

A school board must have a policy requiring the appropriate school official to, as soon as practicable, refer to the criminal justice or juvenile delinquency system, as appropriate, a pupil who brings a firearm to school unlawfully.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-05/

Minnesota Statutes 121A.06-Reports Of Dangerous Weapon Incidents In School Zones.

School districts must electronically report to the commissioner of education incidents involving the use or possession of a dangerous weapon in school zones.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-120-129c/chapter-121a/section-121a-06/

Minnesota Statutes 609.66-Dangerous Weapons.

Explains the consequences of possessing a dangerous weapon or firearm on school property and to who this doesn’t apply.

https://law.justia.com/codes/minnesota/2021/chapters-609-624/chapter-609/section-609-66/

Who does this protect? Students, Staff

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? No

There is no current policy surrounding Social Inclusion in the state of Minnesota. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School Climate Center

Digital Literacy and Internet Safety.

Minnesota encourages digital literacy in schools by providing educators, parents, and students with resources to help educate themselves.

https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/tech/digital/safe/index.htm

Who does this protect? Students

Does this policy include ways for families to be involved? Yes

There is currently no policy surrounding Leadership in Minnesota. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School

There is currently no policy surrounding Professional Relationships in Minnesota. For more information on school climate, please visit us at Services – National School