MN Schools Reach Agreement With Department of Human Rights

TWIN CITIES, MN — The Minnesota Department of Human Rights reached settlement agreements or tentative agreements with 39 charter schools and school districts to reduce disparities in suspensions and expulsions for students with disabilities and students of color.

A department study found students of color comprise 31 percent of the population, yet receive 66 percent of all suspensions and expulsions.

Students with disabilities comprise 14 percent of the population, yet receive 43 percent of all suspensions and expulsions, officials said.

Sign Up For Patch's Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts in Your Neighborhood

The agreements aim to create policies that will reduce the disparities.

“The Department would like to commend these schools and districts for taking on this important issue to ensure the next generation of Minnesota students have the opportunity to be in class, succeed and reach their educational goals,” Commissioner Kevin Lindsey said in a statement.

“Parents and community members are eager to work with the schools and districts to collaboratively address this statewide issue.”

MDHR has finalized agreements with the following schools:

(Metro schools in bold)

• Bemidji School District
• Best Academy
• Bloomington Public Schools
  
• Brooklyn Center School District
• Cass Lake School District
• Cloquet School District
• Columbia Heights Public Schools
• Dugsi Academy
• Duluth Public Schools
• Eden Prairie Schools
  
• Fridley School District
• Hinckley Finlayson Public Schools
• Hopkins Public Schools
• ISD 15 St. Francis
• Mankato Area Public Schools
• Mastery Charter School
• Minnesota Transitions Charter School
• Mounds View Public Schools
  
• North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale Public Schools
• Onamia Public Schools
• Prairie Seeds Academy
• Prodeo Academy
• Red Lake Public Schools
• Richfield Public Schools
  
• Robbinsdale Area Schools
  
• Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan
  
• St. Louis Park Public Schools
  
• St. Paul City School
  
• Saint Paul Public Schools
  
• South St. Paul Public Schools
  
• Wayzata Public Schools
• Willmar Public Schools
• Winona Public Schools

Osseo Area Schools addressed their agreement at their board meeting on Monday, July 30 and MDHR is waiting for their signed copy, officials said.

Image via Shutterstock