District and school administrators will find information in this section related to the administration of special education in schools.

Compliance and Monitoring
The Division of Compliance and Monitoring oversees the implementation of certain state and federal education laws. The division also provides resources to assist school districts and parents in maintaining compliance with these laws. Select the Compliance and Monitoring page at left for information on alternative dispute resolution, due process, procedural safeguards, restrictive procedures and more. Information on special education complaints and hearings can also be found from the Compliance and Monitoring page.

State Performance Plan
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) State Performance Plan evaluates the state's efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA 04). If you have questions about the Plan or related Annual Performance Report, please contact Nancy Larson at 651-582-8596.

Document Download:

• DRAFT 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. Public comments were accepted from March 30, 2012, through April 30, 2012.
• Special Education Complaint Form 
  This is a suggested form for submitting a special education complaint to the Minnesota Department of Education.
• Special Education Division Foundation Statements 
  Mission, vision, guiding principles and values
• 2009 Part B Annual Performance Report (APR) 
  This report presents an analysis of Minnesota's performance on key special education indicators for 2009-2010 as a part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) under Part B, (students with disabilities ages 3 to 21). Revised April 2011.
• 2005-2013 Part B State Performance Plan (SPP) Revised April 2011 
  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA 04) requires each state to have a performance plan that sets targets in the state's efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of IDEA 04.

Nontraditional Education Programs

MDE supports programs providing special education services to students in locations other than a traditional public school. These include alternative and online learning programs, charter schools and nonpublic schools. Information on this page will help educators in nontraditional education programs meet the needs of their students in special education and ensure all children get necessary support for healthy development and lifelong learning.

The Reintegration Framework and Systems Planning Toolkit outlines a continuous quality improvement process developed from research and data-based practices for transition planning for children and youth. The tool was initially developed for children and youth in residential care and treatment education programs to provide a structured process for reintegration to and from nontraditional education programs. It has been broadened in its use to include other nontraditional education programs.

The Framework program planning tool consists of performance indicators in five critical areas: interagency collaboration, team planning, education, supporting life skills and continuity during and post transition. See the offsite resources to view the Framework and Toolkit on the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration website.
 

Document Download:

• Special Education Primer for Charter Schools 
  The regulations for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) specifically includes charter schools. The easy to read question and answer format of the primer, provides charter school authorizers and charter school directors with quick access to information on the provision of special education and related services in charter schools.