Purpose of the Bill

This bill aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of Minnesota's special education system. It seeks to assess whether Minnesota's special education laws, which may exceed federal requirements, provide sufficient educational benefits relative to their costs.

Main Provisions

• Request for Proposals: The Minnesota Commissioner of Education must issue a call for proposals to conduct an independent analysis of the state's special education requirements.
• Analysis Focus: The analysis should compare Minnesota's special education laws against federal minimum requirements. It will look at both the educational benefits and the financial implications of adhering to stricter state standards.
• Report Requirements: The findings must be compiled into a report. This report is meant to help the legislature's education policy and finance committees make informed decisions by balancing student outcomes with potential time or cost savings.
• Deadline for Report: The completed report must be submitted to the legislative committees responsible for kindergarten through 12th-grade education by February 13, 2026.

Significant Changes

• The bill mandates a comprehensive review and comparison of state versus federal special education laws, which could lead to future changes in state requirements to align more closely with federal standards if deemed beneficial.

Relevant Terms

special education, cost-benefit analysis, federal requirements, educational benefits, state standards, Minnesota Statutes, independent analysis, kindergarten through grade 12 education, legislative committees.