The Division of Compliance and Assistance works to safeguard the rights of all learners by implementing and monitoring the laws that guarantee equal access to education for all students. The division provides training and technical assistance to districts on legal and fiscal requirements of state and federal programs and monitors them to ensure they are in compliance. Question-and-Answer documents, forms, disability eligibility checklists, and topic papers on special education are all available to help parents and district staff.

The requirements of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), currently authorized as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), fall under this division's monitoring responsibilities. Programs under the ESEA promote student achievement through school and district reform, to include a focus on accountability for results; an emphasis on scientific research and doing what works; expanded parental options; and expanded local control and flexibility.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees the special education rights of more than 125,000 Minnesota students with disabilities. As required by IDEA, the division provides general program oversight and administers the mediation, complaint, and hearing processes.

This division investigates and issues reports on allegations of alleged abuse, neglect or sexual abuse of children that occur in Minnesota public schools by school district employees. For information on the Maltreatment of Minors Reporting Act and Minnesota's mandated reporting process, see the Student Maltreatment page.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights statute that assures individuals will not be discriminated against based on their disability. The Minnesota Department of Education's Section 504 page includes the Section 504 Compliance Manual, related forms, and more.

When a student is removed from school for disciplinary reasons, the Pupil Fair Dismissal Act assures the student certain rights. More information can be found on the Student Discipline and Truancy page.

Complaints, Hearings, and Letters Search Engine
The Minnesota Department of Education provides a searchable database of special education complaint decisions, hearing decisions and letters of clarification of special education law.
Search Special Education data.

2013 Part B Annual State Application
The 2013 Part B Annual State Application includes statements of assurances for Minnesota’s program for children with disabilities and proposed descriptions for the use of federal grant funds. The draft application is posted below.

The Minnesota Department of Education is required to publish the FFY 2013 Part B Application before submitting it to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The plan must be publically available throughout the state for at least a 60-day period with a minimum 30-day public comment period required within that timeframe.

Public comments will be reviewed and considered prior to the submission of the final application to OSEP, which is May 10, 2013. Public comments will be accepted February 15, 2013, through March 30, 2012, at sage.vanvoorhis@state.mn.us.
 

• 2013 Part B Annual State Application 
  This document includes statements of assurances for Minnesota’s program for children with disabilities and proposed descriptions for the use of federal grant funds. Public comments will be accepted February 15, 2013, through March 30, 2013, at sage.vanvoorhis@state.mn.us.
• 2012 Part B Annual State Application 
  This document includes statements of assurances for Minnesota's program for children with disabilities and proposed descriptions for the use of federal grant funds.