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 the Minnesota Department of Education to resolve disputes over identification, evaluation, educational placement, manifestation determination, interim alternative educational placement, or provision of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) 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. Please email Sage Van Voorhis if you have additional questions regarding due process hearings.

View information regarding Minnesota Special Education Mediation Services (MNSEMS).

* Links to third-party sites are provided as a service to Minnesota Department of Education Website visitors.  See our disclaimer regarding these sites in our copyright information linked at the bottom of this page.  Links will open in a new browser window.

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)
     This document contains parental rights for special education students in public schools.

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