COMPASS Regional Network
The Minnesota Service Cooperatives is proud to be the implementation partner with Minnesota Department of Education to expand COMPASS (Collaborative Minnesota Partnerships to Advance Student Success), the state’s support system for schools. COMPASS is the statewide system through which all districts, charter organizations, and Tribal schools may receive evidence-based support. COMPASS offers professional development opportunities with various levels of support and which include a variety of resources, evidence-based practices and facilitated guidance in formats that work best for 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 service cooperatives’ regional COMPASS teams.
The COMPASS Regional Network through the Minnesota Service Cooperatives began in 2024-25.
Areas of Support
COMPASS offers support for districts using the Minnesota Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MnMTSS) framework to support continuous improvement in the following areas:
- American Indian Education
- Culturally Responsive School Leadership
- Data and Assessment Literacy
- Highly Effective Tier 1 Instruction
- Literacy
- Math
- Multilingual Learners and English Language Development
- School Culture, Climate and Wellbeing
- Special Education
- Early Childhood Special Education
Professional Learning
COMPASS offers professional development opportunities with various levels of support and which include a variety of resources, evidence-based practices and facilitated guidance in formats that work best for schools. Types of professional learning vary by topic, but may include:
- On-Demand Learning
- Cohort Learning Groups
- Hybrid of On-Demand Resources and Cohort Learning Groups
COMPASS has been provided at the state level through the Minnesota Department of Education since 2020. COMPASS has many statewide opportunities for professional learning and coordinated supports from experts in the Minnesota Service Cooperatives and at MDE.
COMPASS Funding Statement
COMPASS is made possible in part using federal funding ALN 84.010, Title I, Part A: Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies; ALN 84.367A, Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II, Part A); ALN 84.424A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program (Title IV, Part A); ALN 84.173, Special Education – Preschool Grants for Children with Disabilities; and ALN 84.181, Special Education – Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities.
State funding for COMPASS is provided by Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 10, Section 10, Subd. 8; Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 2, Section 24, Subd. 5; Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 4, Section 30, Subd. 5; and Minnesota Session Law 2025, 1st Special Session, Chapter 10, Article 12, Section 8, Subd. 2.
COMPASS content does not necessarily represent the official views or policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Minnesota Department of Education.