How to Read an IEP: Minnesota State IEP Guide

In Minnesota, special education services for the state’s 150,000+ students with IEPs (17.6%) are outlined in a state statute (§ 125A) and in administrative rules (Chapter 3525). The statue adds on to IDEA significantly, with academies for the Deaf and Blind, special needs funding, assistive technology funding, residency, and interagency child interventions all covered. One of the most significant changes is this; “125A.04 HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. Upon completion of secondary school or the equivalent, a pupil with a disability who satisfactorily attains the objectives in the pupil’s individualized education program must be granted a high school diploma that is identical to the diploma granted to a pupil without a disability.” What this means is that, while a high school diploma can get held until the student exits services at 22, all students who have met their IEP goals get a diploma, not a certificate of completion. Given the challenges that not having a diploma can create, this is a significant, and unique nationally, change. 

The state regulations build on the statute with detailed diagnostic information for each disability, requirements that the physical classrooms where students served be “equivalent” to those of other students and conducive to meeting their needs (3525.1400 FACILITIES, EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS), provision for multi-disciplinary teams, and even case load limits. There is no fixed caseload maximum for students who are included in general education, but for students who are 60% or more outside of general education, it varies by disability but is around 10 students and one paraprofessional (or 12 and 2) and for students who are out of general education all day, between 4 students to one teacher and 8 students to one teacher (3525.2340 CASE LOADS).

Minnesota’s division of special education has guidance on its special education page, with a strong focus on inclusion, that includes tips for inclusive practices from the TIES Center. The state also has a sample, completed IEP as well as a blank IEP and other resources. 

For parent resources, the PACER Center offers a how to read an IEP guide and is Minnesota’s PTI, as well as one of the most prominent parent advocacy organizations nationally. PACER’s extensive online resources, workshops, and individual assistance are available to all Minnesota families at no cost. The Arc Minnesota is another good resource as is Family Voices Minnesota. Minnesota Disability Law Center provides legal advocacy for IEP disputes.

To see what IEPs look like in Minnesota– and guidance on how to read IEPs (and how to know if they are well written!), check out the IEP section guide below.