Students Rights

I am from Minnesota and I just recently turned 18. I am still in High School however, and the administrators at my school refuse to allow me to sign passes for myself to leave for medical appointments because my parents haven't signed a form saying I can. Shouldn't I be recognized as my own legal guardian and therefore need no signature but my own on passes? Also, is there somewhere I can find a list of all of my rights as an adult AND as a H.S. student? Thanks.

[JETX]

Sorry, but just because you are no longer a minor in your states eyes, that does not mean that you can do anything that the law allows. Our society is made of laws and rules that we all must adhere to, even when we may not want to. Additionally, 'society' has allowed for certain 'exceptions' to the statutory rights, for the good of the rest of us. An example would be that you have the Constitutional right of free speech, but you can't holler "FIRE' in a movie theater.

Additionally, your employer may have certain 'provisions of employment' which you feel violate your rights, but you 'waive' those when you elect to work there. Again using the free speech as an example, you will probably find yourself unemployed if you exercise that right by 'cussing out' your employer or supervisor.

Same with your school. They have certain policies and rules that are 'for the common good' and you may feel that they might enfringe on your rights. (An example would be if your state allows you to drink alcohol at eighteen, but you still couldn't do so on campus.) That is why most schools have published policies and rules in place. Also, why most of the schools now require you to sign a 'contract' accepting those rules at the start of each school year. If your schools 'policy' is that a 'dismissal pass' must be signed by your parents, that is a 'reasonable requirement' and you have 'no statutory rights' to challenge it.

Originally posted by skansaroo
I am from Minnesota and I just recently turned 18. I am still in High School however, and the administrators at my school refuse to allow me to sign passes for myself to leave for medical appointments because my parents haven't signed a form saying I can. Shouldn't I be recognized as my own legal guardian and therefore need no signature but my own on passes? Also, is there somewhere I can find a list of all of my rights as an adult AND as a H.S. student? Thanks.

Are you still living at home? I will assume that you are since your parents haven't giving the school permission to accept notes from you.

You are still in school, therefore, are still under the guidance of your parent. If your parents don't want you signing notes for yourself, they must have good reason.

So, until they do, you will have to ask them to write you notes until you graduate - which is in what, a few months? I wouldn't sweat it.