About the Indicator: School disciplinary incidents involving alcohol were obtained by school district, then aggregated to the county level.  Percentages are found by totaling each county's alcohol-related incidents and dividing them by the total amount of disciplinary incidents for that county. Each incident is counted only once; if multiple reasons per incident were reported, only the most serious reason is counted.

The Minnesota Department of Education advises that each school district follow their own definitions in their discipline policies. Minnesota law addresses the possession, use, or sale of alcohol. School policies may include being intoxicated or possessing alcohol at school, school-sponsored events and on school-sponsored transportation. Determination of use would need to be made based upon school policy consistent with state and federal law. Information on relevant state statues include: alcohol definitions, alcohol possession consumption by persons under 21, and possession of alcohol on school grounds.

Data Source: Minnesota Department of Education Data Center

Description: The Minnesota Department of Education's Data Center provides reports and data on students, schools, districts, teachers, and education-related organizations.

Sponsored by: MN Department of Education

Geographic Level: School district, County, State, Region

Frequency: Data collected and reported annually

Characteristics:  Each year districts report all disciplinary incidents that result in an out-of-school suspension/removal of one day or longer and expulsions/exclusions.