Minn-LInK

MARSS contains information on students’ academic experiences.

Data available from academic years 2001-2022

MARSS data comes to Minn-LInK in text files from the Department of Education. Data are organized at child level by MARSS ID. The MARSS ID is a unique identification number given to a child when they first enter the public school system and the same ID follows them throughout their public school education.

Commonly used variables in MARSS:

• Birthdate
• Yearly Attendance
• District Number/District Type
• School Number/School Type
• Grade
• Gender
• Home Primary Language
• Race/Ethnicity
• Migrant Flag
• Homeless Student
• Limited English Proficiency
• Free or Reduced Lunch Eligibility
• Primary Disability
• Special Education Service Receipt/Service Hours
• School Transfer
• Dropout
• Graduation
• Gifted & Talented Participation
• State Aid Category
• Supplemental Education Services

IRS contains information on disciplinary incidents that remove a student from school grounds for one day or more. Disciplinary data for students receiving special education is structured differently.

Data available for all academic years from 2008-2009 through 2021-2022.

DIRS data comes to Minn-LInK in text files from the Department of Education. Data are organized at child level by MARSS ID. The MARSS ID is a unique identification number given to a child when they first enter the public school system and the same ID follows them throughout their public school education.

*Please note: DIRS data is housed at Minn-LInK, but requires an additional request process with MDE for use. For further information, please contact the CASCW Director of Research & Evaluation, Kristine Piescher at kpiesche@umn.edu

Data provided in DIRS:

• MARSS ID of offender
• Academic Year the incident was reported
• Description of the type of incident
• Description of the disciplinary action type
• Number of days student was out of school for disciplinary reasons

MCA scores help districts measure student progress towards Minnesota’s academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Students take tests in Science, Mathematics, and Reading. 

Data available from academic years 2000-2001 through 2021-2022 (Math & Reading); 2008-2009 through 2021-2022 (Science).

MCA data comes to Minn-LInK in text files from the Department of Education. Data are organized at child level by MARSS ID. The MARSS ID is a unique identification number given to a child when they first enter the public school system and the same ID follows them throughout their public school education.

Commonly used variables in MCA:

• Indicator of Math, Science, or Reading Assessment
• Test Date
• Test Type (MCA I, II, or III)
• Scale Score
  • Listed as a number such as 35900 (first number [either ‘3’ or ‘03’] indicates grade of the student, second 2 numbers indicate the test score [‘59’], and all scores end with ‘00’)
• Proficiency Label (D – does not meet standards, P – partially meets standards, M – meets standards, E – exceeds standards) 
  • ‘D’ and ‘P’ indicate a lack of proficiency; ‘M’ and ‘E’ indicate proficiency

GED contains information on individuals have passed the entire battery (4 tests) of GED subject tests and received a GED diploma.

Data available from 2003 - 2022

GED data comes to Minn-LInK in text files from the Department of Education. Data are organized at person level by a unique identifier.

Data provided in GED:

• First and Last name
• Date of birth
• Test center location (testing jurisdiction)
• Test date (last date a passing score was entered)
• Need for accommodations
• Unique Identifier

The Department of Human Services provides child maltreatment and social service use data from SSIS (Social Services Information System).

Data available from 2000 through 2022

SSIS data comes to Minn-LInK in Access tables from DHS. Data are organized at case record level (not individual-level), meaning that there is often much duplication in the records. For example, a child with one allegation of abuse with two offenders will be listed in the raw data as two lines of data.

Data provided in SSIS:

• Disability & special needs
• Family structure
• Living situation
• Accepted for assessment
• Maltreatment substantiated
• Type of maltreatment
• Severity
• Offender
• Reason for case closure
• Assessment track
• Structured Decision Making
• Date, number, & length of out-of-home placements
• Reason for removal
• Living arrangement
• Reason for closing placement
• Referrals
• Relationship to child
• Adoption agency
• Reasons for adoption and adoption status
• Termination of parental rights

The Department of Human Services provides child maltreatment and social service use data from SSIS (Social Services Information System).

Data available from 2000 through 2022.

Data provided in SSIS (CMH):

• Child’s mental health screening completion status (screening was completed or the reason a child is exempt from screening)
• Date of the screening
• Screening tool and screening score
• Whether a child was referred for a diagnostic assessment
• Whether a diagnostic assessment was completed and if yes, date of diagnostic assessment
• History of screenings
• Dates of children's mental health case management
• Reason for case closure

The Department of Human Services provides data on financial assistance, food assistance, childcare assistance, developmental disabilities, and medical assistance receipt from MMIS, SSIS, & MAXIS.

Data available from 2000 through 2022

Other human services data comes to Minn-LInK in various formats such as Access tables or text files from DHS. Data may be organized at case record level (not individual-level), meaning that there is often much duplication in the records or it may be organized at the individual level, depending on the type of data requested.

Data are covered under data sharing agreements with Minn-LInK, but require an additional data request and approval process:

• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) – is the state’s welfare reform program. It helps families and pregnant women who have low income go to work and move toward financial stability. The program provides employment services, financial assistance, and food assistance. Most families have a lifetime limit of 60 months on MFIP.
  • MFIP receipt
  • Months on assistance
• Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (SNAP) – this food assistance program provides support to help stretch your household budget. Eligibility is dependent upon household income.
  • SNAP receipt
  • Months on assistance
• Child Care Assistance – these programs can make quality child care affordable for income-eligible families.
• Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) – Medicaid claims data for fee for service or direct payments through Medical Assistance
  • Billing codes
  • Provider codes
  • Dates of service
  • Diagnostic codes
• Developmental Disabilities (DD)

Publicly Available Adult Offenders incarcerated in Minnesota Jail & Prison in Minnesota

Data available from 1987 through 2022

DOC data comes to Minn-LInK in text files from the Department of Corrections. Data are organized at the case level.

Commonly used variables in DOC:

• Sentence Status
• Offender Special Status
• Offense Modifier
• Type of Status Action
• Current Status
• Security Status
• Supervising Authority
• Location in Relation to Status

Juvenile Court data includes all juvenile offenses petitioned to the county attorney’s office in Minnesota

Data available from 2009 through 2022

SCAO data comes to Minn-LInK in text files from the State Court Administrator’s Office. Data are organized at the charge level.

Data provide in SCAO:

• First, middle, and last name; date of birth
• Charge level data (e.g., felony, gross misdemeanor, etc.)
• Degree level (e.g., felony, gross misdemeanor, etc.)
• Statute number
• Text associated with statute (e.g., “aggravated robbery”)
• Case number
• Disposition (e.g., adjudicated, dismissed, etc.) & Disposition Date
• Court decision (disposition imposed, including facility with placement or commitment) & Sentence Date (if applicable)