COMPASS (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success), the state’s support system for schools, has been expanded to support all public districts, charter school and Tribal schools in Minnesota thanks to an annual $13.5 million investment by the Legislature in 2023 toward implementing Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS). The Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Service Cooperatives (MSC) will be using a portion to provide continuous improvement guidance, professional learning and flexible support through COMPASS free of cost to public districts, charter schools and Tribal schools.

The COMPASS Statewide System of Support, inclusive of the READ Act-funded Regional Literacy Network, establishes a team of specialists at each of the nine regional Service Cooperatives who will work in close collaboration with MDE. These specialists will offer expertise in the areas of MnMTSS, literacy, math, school climate and culture, equitable access to high quality learning environments, and culturally responsive instructional leadership. This expands continuous improvement opportunities to all districts, charter schools and Tribal schools and builds upon the assistance previously offered through the six Regional Centers of Excellence. Support for ESSA targeted and comprehensive schools will now be offered through all nine MSC regional COMPASS teams.