Join MASE Today!

MASE and MASA provide powerful professional support and a wide variety of benefits such as quality conferences, skill development workshops, informative publications, and state and national legislative advocacy. MASA membership also provides personal services, including legal consultation, liability insurance and life insurance. Click Here

School leaders have long been talking about and working toward twenty-first century readiness for our students and our organizations.  Now that we are twelve years into the twenty-first century, we understand that while we all want the very best education for our students, we do not all agree on how to define excellence.  And while we are trying to get a handle on that, globalization and technology create dramatic, persistent change that will in turn require us to once again redefine our goals.  Our complex world requires leaders who are able to build organizations that have capacity to respond to rapid change in flexible and adaptive ways.  Join your colleagues this spring and continue our conversation exploring leadership that establishes agile, responsive systems that provide the best for our twenty-first century students.

2012 Stenswick/Benson Scholarship Candidate Process

To view cover application Click Here 

For application form Click Here

2012 MASE Award Nominations are Now Open!!

Each year, MASE provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding members who are dedicated leaders and advocates for children and Minnesota education.  We encourage you to consider nominating yourself or a colleague for recognition.  Nominate someone who you feel reflects the qualities of a leader who is committed to education and who is an exemplary representative of MASE.
For award nomination forms click here. 
 

2012 MASE Legislative Platform Full Version Click Here

2012 MASE Legislative Platform Brochure Click Here

     
MASA/MASE Spring Conference!

The spring conference had been planned for March 14-16 at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park, where we have held this event for the last three years.  Unfortunately, the Northland has informed us that they are undertaking an extensive renovation project and so will be closing the conference center for a number of months, including the dates for our spring conference.  So we have had to shop for a new location.

It was important to us to keep the conference dates the same if possible and to maintain the features of the event, including our exhibit fair, multiple options for content sessions, as well as a comfortable environment that our members would enjoy visiting. After considering a number of sites, we have decided to hold the conference at the Doubletree by Hilton - Minneapolis South. Those of you who have been members for awhile will recognize the Doubletree as the former Radisson South where our spring conference had been held for a number of years.

Conference registration materials will be coming out in January.
Arrange your lodging at the Doubletree:

•  Online by following this link -- http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/M/MSPBSDT-MSA-20120313/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

•  or by phone -- 1-800-222-TREE (ask for the 2012 MASA/MASE Spring Conference rate)

Note that the conference rate is available until February 12.

Important to Note:  The Doubletree charges an early departure fee.  If a guest who has requested a room within your Room Block checks out prior to the guest's reserved checkout date, the Hotel will add an early checkout fee to that guest's individual account of $50.00. Guests wishing to avoid an early checkout fee should advise the Hotel at or before check-in of any change in planned length of stay.  Please note that lodging changes/cancellations are the responsibility of the individual participant, without exception.
We look forward to seeing you at the conference, so mark your calendars for March 14-16 and set your gps for I494 and HWY 100!

Happy holidays from all of us at MASA and MASE!

The MASE Professional Development Committee Meeting

Jan. 6th from 10 am - 2 pm at the MASE Offices (1884 Como Ave., St. Paul).  

The agenda will include a review of the 2011 fall conference and planning for 2012. (including the Best Practices and Fall, 2012 conferences).

Please RSVP to Aimee, aranallo@mnasa.org, for the lunch count. 

2011-2012 MASE Directory's are now available!
 Click Here or choose MASE 11-12 Members on the left side of this screen.

2011-2012 MASE Committee Assignments
Click Here or choose MASE Committees on the left side of this screen

Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE)

New Leaders’ Training 2011-2012

MASE New Leaders’ Training is a series of professional development sessions that provide opportunities for

√   newly employed Minnesota special education directors to explore the basic information needed for a successful first year

√   mid-level leaders to enhance leadership skills either in preparation for advancement in leadership or for general skill development

√ new leaders that wish to refresh their training

                                            
Participants have an opportunity to meet other new leaders, experienced colleagues, state department staff and other resource people from the special education community. Topics include federal and state special education law, finance and budgeting, state reporting, program topics, and leadership. Continuing education credits are awarded.

Click Here for Registration Materials

The International Dyslexia Association, Upper Midwest Branch (IDA-UMB)

IDA-UMB 38th Annual Conference 2012

Saturday, April 14, 2012
Location: Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Park, MN
8 a.m -- 4 p.m. 

For more information you can visit their website by clicking here

            

Dave Thacker is the Special Education Administrator of the Year

(St. Paul, MN) – Dave Thacker, Special Education Director for the Centennial Schools, has been named the 2011 Special Education Administrator of the Year by the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE). Mr. Thacker was honored for his dedication to students with disabilities and their families, and his active involvement in professional and community affairs, at a statewide recognition ceremony at the MASE Best Practices Conference, May 5-6, 2011, at Madden’s Resort in Brainard, Minnesota.

Click Here for full Press Release

Decision Flowchart: Extracurricular and Nonacademic Supports

In recent months, the MASE Board has been asked repeatedly by special educators across Minnesota for assistance regarding making decisions about extra curricular and nonacademic supports for students with disabilities in light of the "Centennial Decision."   A group of directors met on several occasions to discuss the court's ruling and consider its impact on local school district IEP teams.  The attached decision flowchart was developed during this series of meetings.  Please note this flowchart represents the collective wisdom of a number of directors from across the state, but should not be construed as legal advice or as the definitive answer to these questions.

I would like to thank Gary Lewis for all of his efforts to condense the conversation into what we hope is a useful flowchart designed to help district staff and IEP teams work through these questions on a student by student basis.  Click Here for Flowchart pdf

Gary Lewis,
Director of Student Services, Northfield Schools