Class action lawsuit against the school board (help please!)

[Submerged]

Im from minnesota, a junior in high school.

I just typed out a long paragraph but it somehow logged me out so i have to retype it, so it probably will be shorter.

Basically, theres a rule that says if you miss more than 7 days in a quarter, you fail all 4 classes you are taking unless a commitee lets you pass. The grades the student has have no bearing on this rule.

It makes no sense to me. The only logical reason for creating this rule is if they thought that students couldnt understand the class material if they were gone more than 7 days.

However, grades are there to determine how well a student understands the class material. So if the student understands the material well enough to get an A, what sense does it make to fail them because of days missed?

Do I have a leg to stand on?

Thanks for any help,
-Alex

PS. in the article at http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/sctemp/004209d72def0008bcbad5714c97f7e6/2508file4975.htm is it saying students need to be at school at least 170 days per year, or that schools need to be open and available for teaching students at least 170 days per year?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Well, first, to file a class action suit you have to have your issued certified for class action by the federal court.

Next, you are not filing against the the school board. You would be filing against the state of Minnesota on a petition of unconstitutionality.

You see, one little fact you fail to realize, is that you are in violation of the law and criminals are not afforded the same rights as people who decide to follow the law.

Now, for your education, since you don't feel it necessary to attend school;

Minnesota Statute 250A.02 Subdivision 3.
"Continuing Truant" means a child who is subject to the compulsory instruction requirements of Section 120A.22 and is absent from instruction in school, as defined in section 120A.05, without valid excuse within a single school year for: 1) Three days if the child is in elementary school, 2) Three or more class periods on three days if the child is in middle school, junior high, or high school.

Minnesota Statute 120A.22 Subd.5
Every child between seven and 16 years of age must receive instruction.

Minnesota Statute 260C.007 Subdivision 19. "Habitual truant" means a child under the age of 16 years who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for seven school days if the child is in elementary school or for one or more class periods on seven school days if the child is in middle school, junior high school, or high school, or a child who is 16 or 17 years of age who is absent from attendance at school without lawful excuse for one or more class periods on seven school days and who has not lawfully withdrawn from school under section 120A.22.

Now, quit your whinning and get your ass back to class.

 

[Submerged]

im not just skipping for the joy of skipping. ive just been sick a lot this quarter.

I wasnt sure if the 7 day thing was a law or just a school policy, but now i think its safe to assume its the law.

So how does someone go about trying to get a law changed?


PS. what is a "lawful excuse" exactly?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

im not just skipping for the joy of skipping. ive just been sick a lot this quarter.

I wasnt sure if the 7 day thing was a law or just a school policy, but now i think its safe to assume its the law.

So how does someone go about trying to get a law changed?

Well, there are several ways:
1. Challenge the law in court. that would require an underlying cause of action including class action which would require certification at the federal level and thousands of dollars in attorney fees unless you can get someone like the ACLU to take the case which I doubt.

2. Run for the Minnesota Legislature and submit a new Bill to the floor changing the requirements of the law. Of course, since the law is tied to federal fund requirements, it's doubtful it would ever pass. If it did, Minnesota would lose approximately $24 million in matching Federal Funds.

3. Social Disobedience (read Thoreau)

 

[stealth2]

If you've been sick that much, you should have been getting a doctor's note. The school isn't simply going to accept your or your Mommy's word on it.

 

[Zach Jarou]

Similar Problem

Hey submerged email me. I am having a similar problem and I might be able to help you out.

 

[howamidoing]

Im from minnesota, a junior in high school.

I just typed out a long paragraph but it somehow logged me out so i have to retype it, so it probably will be shorter.

Basically, theres a rule that says if you miss more than 7 days in a quarter, you fail all 4 classes you are taking unless a commitee lets you pass. The grades the student has have no bearing on this rule.

It makes no sense to me. The only logical reason for creating this rule is if they thought that students couldnt understand the class material if they were gone more than 7 days.

However, grades are there to determine how well a student understands the class material. So if the student understands the material well enough to get an A, what sense does it make to fail them because of days missed?

Do I have a leg to stand on?

Thanks for any help,
-Alex

PS. in the article at http://www.anoka.k12.mn.us/education/sctemp/004209d72def0008bcbad5714c97f7e6/2508file4975.htm is it saying students need to be at school at least 170 days per year, or that schools need to be open and available for teaching students at least 170 days per year?

Quit whining and go to CLASS!