Education Discrimination

Every student in Minnesota has the right to an education that is free from discrimination.

Under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, schools are prohibited from discriminating against you because of: your race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, because you receive public assistance, or other identities
under the law.

Schools are legally responsible for taking meaningful action to prevent and address discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault.

If you believe you experienced discrimination, complete this form 💻.

Examples of education discrimination
- Sexual harassment and assault: A high school failed to act after a student reported she was sexually harassed and assaulted multiple times by other students. In another case, a professor used his position of power to sexually harass a student.
- Race discrimination: A school district violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act by failing to timely and appropriately stop multiple students from repeatedly bullying and harassing a seventh grader because of her race. Another example is a school forces Black student athletes to shave their locs or forfeit their match.
- Disability discrimination: A school denies a student reasonable additional time to take tests as recommended by the student’s medical provider.
- Age discrimination: A 65-year-old prospective student is denied admission to a university because the school says they’re too old to enroll.
- Gender identity discrimination: A school district separated a student from their classmates by requiring them to use a separate locker room based only on their gender identity.
Ways schools can take action
When students took the most recent Minnesota Student Survey, 54% reported being bullied in the past month.

To support students and teachers in creating learning environments that are free from discrimination, school districts can take the following actions to prevent and address harassment and bullying:
- Review results from the Minnesota Student Survey to determine what’s working and how school districts can better resolve harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
- Proactively train students, educators, and school leaders on both how to prevent and how to respond to harassment and discrimination.
- Make sure school policies around harassment, bullying, and discrimination are clear and transparent, and that the policies are immediately followed.
- To prevent further harm, provide support to students being harassed and to students engaging in the harassment.
- When possible, work with student groups, nonprofits, and other community members to support students who are experiencing bullying, harassment, and discrimination.
Other resources
The Minnesota Department of Education plays an important role in ensuring all students learn in safe and thriving school environment, free from bullying and discrimination.

They have resources, such as programs and fact sheets, that may be relevant or helpful to your situation.

Reach out to the Department of Education
- Bullying: Contact the School Safety Technical Assistance Center at MDE.SSTAC@state.mn.us or 651-582-8364.
- Special education services: Contact MDE Technical Assistance Line at mde.assistance-compliance@state.mn.us or 651-582-8689.