Teacher Discipline Inquiry System (TDIS)

In 2008 the Minnesota Legislature enacted a law (effective May 1, 2009) requiring school boards or other hiring authorities to contact the Board of Teaching before hiring a new teacher, to determine if the Board has taken disciplinary action against the individual.

In response to this law the Board has developed the Teacher Discipline Inquiry System (TDIS), an online search function that is password-protected through MDE’s Minnesota Identity Management System (MIDMS).

Prior to offering employment to a new teacher the superintendent, administrator or other selected staff member must register as the district’s designated user of the system. The designee will need to request and be granted access to TDIS. (If the designated user already has access to one of the Minnesota Department of Education’s secure websites, s/he can use the same user ID and password to request access to TDIS.) Access to the system will be available via a link to Teacher Discipline Inquiry System, found on the Board’s Web: education.state.mn.us/MDE/Teacher_Support/Board_of_Teaching

Once a user has been granted permission to access TDIS, searches can be conducted by entering the teacher’s file folder number. If the user is unsure of the file folder number there is a link to the License Lookup feature. If there has been disciplinary action taken by the Board against the licensee the user will be able to view a PDF document that is public and represents the final action taken by the Board. Please note: The only information that is available is contained in that document - the Board is unable to provide any other information due to data privacy laws.

Questions about this system should be emailed to: BOT.TDIS@state.mn.us

2008 Minnesota Statute

123B.03 Background Check
Subdivision 1. Background check required. (a) A school hiring authority shall request a criminal history background check from the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on all individuals who are offered employment in a school and on all individuals, except enrolled student volunteers, who are offered the opportunity to provide athletic coaching services or other extracurricular academic coaching services to a school, regardless of whether any compensation is paid.

To read the complete statute, which becomes effective May 1, 2009, visit the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes Web.

Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association

1667 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108

651.999.7310 MN toll free 800.642.6807

Fax: 651.999.7311 E-mail: mespa@mespa.net