Special Education Due Process HearingsAccountability Programs : Minnesota Department of Education

Special Education Due Process Hearings

Special Education Due Process Hearings

Parents and districts are entitled to an impartial due process hearing conducted by MDE to resolve disputes over identification, evaluation, educational placement, manifestation determination, interim alternative educational placement, or provision of a free appropriate public education to a child with a disability.

Parents and districts are encouraged to use mediation, conciliation or some other mutually agreed upon alternative before proceeding to a hearing. Below you will find resources to help you learn more about due process hearings. If you have additional questions regarding due process hearings, please contact Jim Mortenson

Note: By clicking on the links on this page you will leave the MDE site. Please read the copyright notice at the bottom of the page for our disclaimer regarding these sites.

Due Process Hearing Request  20Kb (10/9/06)  28Kb (10/9/06)
     Optional form for requesting a special education due process hearing.
Due Process Hearing Request Form Guidance  12Kb (10/9/06)  31Kb (10/9/06)
     This form guidance explains how to use the Due Process Hearing Request Form.
Free and Reduced Cost Legal Resources  54Kb (1/2/07)
     This list is a resource for parents seeking attorneys in the area of education law including expulsion and due process hearings.
Procedural Safeguard Notice  93Kb (2/23/07)  58Kb (2/23/07)
     Parental Rights for Public School Special Education Students
Rights Overview  1Mb (7/27/05)
     Describes available state-provided special education dispute resolution systems

Hearing Officers


Special Education Due Process Hearing Officer Statements of Qualification are posted here Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 125A.091, Subd. 13, Minn. R. 3525.4010, and 34 C.F.R. § 300.511(c).
Barbara Neilson PDF Version 26Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications.
Beverly Jones Heydinger PDF Version 26Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications
Cindy Lavorato PDF Version 28Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications
Eric Lipman PDF Version 26Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications.
Kathleen Sheehy PDF Version 25Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications
Linda F. Close PDF Version 40Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications.
Raymond R. Krause PDF Version 26Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications.
Richard Luis PDF Version 35Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer credentials
Steve M. Mihalchick PDF Version 37Kb (10/10/07)
     Hearing officer qualifications

Hearing Reports

2004 Hearing Report PDF Version 29Kb (11/23/05)
     2004 annual summary report on special education due process hearings.
2005 Hearing Report PDF Version 28Kb (11/23/05)
     2005 annual summary report on special education due process hearings.