About MDE

Data Requests

Much of the data maintained by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is classified by law as public data, which means that anyone has a right to access it. Some MDE data is classified as private data about individuals, or other nonpublic data, which means that the data is not available to the public without the data subject's consent.

Meeting the information needs of the public is one of MDE’s most important functions as a state agency. Therefore, subject to the requirements of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and other applicable state and federal laws, MDE will respond to citizen requests for public data in a timely, cost-effective and complete manner.

How to make a data request if you are seeking data about yourself or your child

If you are an individual data subject, you have the right to look at or request copies of data that MDE holds about you, your minor child, or an individual for whom you have been appointed legal guardian. MDE will need to verify your identity before providing private data to you.

How to make a data request if you are a member of the public

Members of the public have the right to review, free of charge, all public data that MDE holds. They also have the right to get copies of public data, although MDE may charge for copies.