Special Education Process

Welcome to the Special Education Process Page

You can access the Special Education Process subsection on the top of this page.

The subsection:

Adaptations

Special Education

Students in special education have a disability and are in need of specialized instruction. A comprehensive evaluation, conducted by a team from the public school, evaluates and identifies these students. For every student who needs special education services, the team develops a special document called an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

MN Department of Special Education Website: Special Education can be accessed for information related to the Special Education process, as well as resources for students and families.

Person-Centered Practices

Students and others with disabilities have the same rights and responsibilities as other people. They control their own lives, make their own choices and contribute to their community. Person-centered practices focus on interests, needs, strengths and dreams. Using the best information, person-centered practices empower individuals to make informed choices about where they will learn, work, live and play. Visit the Person-Centered Practices section to learn more about how person-centered planning helps people with disabilities be active members of their home, school and community. This includes the Interagency Person-Centered Individualized Education Program (IEP) Pilot model that coordinates efforts across home, school and community to improve outcomes and engagement of children/youth and their families and effective interagency partnerships.

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Roles and Responsibilities of General Education Teachers

Everything You Need to Know about Special Education

Students with Disabilities

IEP Meeting Tips for Families

Evaluation

A formal process to determine if a child has a disability and requires specialized instruction and services (IEP) due to difficulties with learning, behavior, or development.

IEP

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

The IEP outlines the unique needs of the student and the specialized goals and objectives that will help the student make educational progress. Parents are a critical partner in every phase of identifying a student for special education and in establishing the IEP.

The information in this section guides parents and educators through the special education process. Here you will find resources and programs for helping students who may not be able to do some things children of the same age can do, including information on IEPs and other tools, bullying, parental rights, resolving disagreements between parents and educators, program monitoring, and supports for special and general education students.

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Citations:

McLeskey, J., Rosenberg, M. S., & Westling, D. L. (2018). Inclusion: Effective practices for all students (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Resources.

(2025). Special Education. MN Department of Education. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from Special Education

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