102 Policy: Equal Educational Opportunity

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that equal educational opportunity is provided for all students of the school district.

II. GENERAL STATEMENT OF POLICY

A. It is the school district’s policy to provide equal educational opportunity for all students. The school district does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender, marital status, parental status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, sexual orientation or age. The school district also makes reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities.

B. The school district prohibits harassment and discrimination of any individual based on any of the protected classifications listed above. For information about the types of conduct that constitute violation of the school district’s policy on harassment and violence and the school district’s procedures for addressing such complaints, refer to Policy 103: Harassment Prohibition.

C. The school district prohibits discrimination of students with a disability, within the intent of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 504”), who need services, accommodations, or programs in order to receive a free and appropriate public education. For information as to protections that may apply pursuant to Section 504 and the school district’s corresponding procedures for addressing disability discrimination complaints, refer to Policy 505: Student Disability Nondiscrimination.

D. The school district prohibits sexual harassment discrimination of any individual on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities. For information as to the protections that apply pursuant to Title IX and the school district’s corresponding procedures and processes for addressing sexual harassment and discrimination, refer to Policy 115: Title IX. 

E. This policy applies to all areas of education including academics, coursework, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, or other rights or privileges of enrollment.

F. It is the responsibility of every school district employee to follow this policy.

G. Any student, parent or guardian having a question regarding this policy should discuss it with the appropriate school district administrator, the Richfield Public Schools’ Chief HR & Administrative Officer or the Superintendent.

 

Legal References:    

Minn. Stat. Ch. 363A (Minnesota Human Rights Act)

Minn. State §121A.03, Subd. 2 (Sexual, Religious, and Racial Harassment and Violence Policy)

42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. (Americans with Disabilities Act)

20 U.S.C. § 1681 et seq. (Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972)

42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq. (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964)

 

Cross References:    

Board of Education Policy 103 (Racial, Religious, and Sexual Harassment and Violence Policy)

Board of Education Policy 115 (Title IX)

Board of Education Policy 402 (Equal Employment Opportunity)

Board of Education Policy 505 (Student Disability Nondiscrimination)

 

RATIFIED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: September 7, 1976

REVISED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: April 4, 1983; December 17, 1990; April 20, 1998; June 17, 2008; April 18, 2016; July 11, 2022

REVIEWED AND REAFFIRMED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: January 6, 2003