School Stuff

Although it may not always seem like it, you have rights while you are in school. Maine law is very clear that educating children and youths is very important. We hope through these pages, you will learn more about your rights.

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Are you facing a suspension or expulsion?

We hope not, but if you are, you do have a right to be heard. These are your rights, not just your parents'. Your rights differ depending upon whether you are being recommended for suspension or for expulsion.
Get more details.
Students with special ed needs have additional rights.

Are you homeless?

For school, being homeless means lacking a regular fixed adequate nighttime residence. This means that you do not have to be living on the streets, in a motel, at a campground, or a shelter. It also means you could be temporarily staying with friends or family. If you are crashing on a friend's couch for a while, you are homeless for school purposes. This is true, even if you ran away from home. If you are homeless, you have a right to go to school, without any breaks. You have a right to choose between the school where you were going before you became homeless or the school where you are currently staying. If your parents are not with you, you can enroll yourself as an "unaccompanied homeless youth." The school should have its "homeless student coordinator" work with you to help you enroll and find services. For more information, read:

Homeless Students' Right to Attend School

Legal Tools to End Youth Homelessness
This booklet is written by The National law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. It is primarily an overview of Federal laws, that is, laws that apply in every state, and phone numbers to national switchboards and hotlines.

If you have problems enrolling in school, contact us.

Where can I go to school?

The general rule is that you go to school where your parent lives, but there are many exceptions. Find out more: What School District Do I Go To?.

How do Maine's truancy laws work?

This information is written for parents but will give you a good idea of how Maine's compulsory school attendance laws work: Maine Truancy Laws.

What is special ed?

Special education helps you in school if you have a disability. It can help you with your classroom learning, your ability to make and keep friends, or your need to have modifications, like having classrooms downstairs if you are in a wheelchair. It is not here to make your feel stupid or labeled. You are not stupid or dumb or crazy if you are in special ed. You do have learning differences or different learning needs. Special education services are here to help you succeed.

There are two different federal laws for special ed students. One is Section 504 and one is IDEA. Your rights under IDEA and Section 504 are protected by your parents. But, if you are 18 or emancipated, you have the rights and your parents do not. If you want to learn more about special ed rights for students, use these links:

Section 504 Education Law

Special Ed, a New Language
This piece helps you learn and understand the key concepts and acronymns of the IDEA, such as PET, IEP, FAPE and LRE.

IDEA Overview
This explains the process and timelines from the initial special ed referral through an appeal to court. Congress is making changes to IDEA that will be effective in July 2005. We will be updating our materials and adding more materials that address those changes. However, they may not be finished by July 2005, so be sure to check the date of the client education materials you are reading.

If you are special ed under IDEA and are getting suspended or expelled, read School Discipline for Special Education Students.

You do have rights to free speech and to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures.

You can contact the Maine Civil Liberties Union to find out more. Or to ask for a training to be held at your school. The first case that said students have a right to free speech is TINKER ET AL. v. DES MOINES INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT ET AL. It was decided in 1969 by the U.S. Supreme Court.

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION

N.E. Job Corps: Portland , 800-469-1885; Augusta , 800-815-9983; Bangor , 800-949-1937; Aroostook , 888-216-2034

Job Placement Services, Inc./ Saco Island School: 283-1435
(for at risk students in York and Cumberland Counties )

Future Builders, Raymond: 655-1000

Youth Building Alternatives, Portland : 775-0105

The Carleton Project, Presque Isle: 768-9998

The Real School : 892-4462

GED Info: 624-6750

OTHER EDUCATION

Community College System: 629-4000

Adult Education: 624-6750

Upcoming pieces:
Keep checking our website. We're posting new information all the time.