The Education Law Advocacy Project (ELAP) of Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (SMRLS) recently published a first-of-its-kind handbook on student education rights. Children's Education Rights: A Handbook for Professionals Working with Minnesota Students was developed as a guide to the issues students face and as a resource for additional support and information. The book was written and organized by Lilian Ejebe, ELAP lead attorney, and Cierra Johnson, certified student attorney, and supported by a grant from Proof Alliance and the Legal Services Corporation.

ELAP was started at SMRLS in 1995 to help families enforce the educational rights of students through a collaborative approach. ELAP has represented thousands of students and their families in obtaining educational services, empowering families in navigating the school system, and in some cases, improving educational policies at the school district level.

Laura Isenor, ELAP staff attorney and handbook contributor, said “This handbook is truly essential for a wide range of professionals working with Minnesota students. As a former prosecutor, I wish I had this book to reference when handling my juvenile and child protection cases. I recommend this handbook to anyone, from teachers to pediatricians to social workers, who has contact with Minnesota students in any capacity.”

Children's Education Rights: A Handbook for Professionals Working with Minnesota Students covers topics such as school choice, early childhood family education and learning, the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, students with a disability, students experiencing homelessness, students’ right to be free of discrimination, student discipline, and many more. The publication is available free of charge and for download on the SMRLS website.