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From the Executive Director,
Erin Toninato:
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National Study of Special Education Spending
For those who have already started the school year, I hope things are going well and you are settling into a good rhythm. For those preparing to welcome students back, I wish you a wonderful start—and perhaps a few quiet moments before the hallways fill!
Some districts have received a letter of engagement regarding the National Study of Special Education Spending (NSSES). Because this is a national study, I reached out to CASE and followed up with MDE to see if either could provide additional information. I also contacted the email address included in the notice. As of today, we have not received any additional information.
If your district has been selected and you have questions, I encourage you to follow up directly with the contacts provided in your letter. I will share anything further that I learn.
Wherever you are in the back-to-school season, I hope these first weeks bring smooth starts, happy reunions, and only a few unexpected surprises!
Enjoy your weekend and as always...thanks for all you do!
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✨ Share a Glimmer ✨
Share your “MASE Moments of Awe.” These are the stories—the glimmers—that highlight the beauty and importance of what we do.
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Do You Have a Question about MASE?
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The MASE FAQ page is here to answer your questions! We continue to add material as we hear from you. Here are a few of the newest questions and answers:
How do I access the member directory?
If you are a MASE member, login to your Member Compass. The text in the middle of the page includes a link to the directory. Once you open the directory, you can click on the "Filter" button to find members within a specific MASE area.
Can I register multiple members from my district to attend a conference?
Yes, if you are set up in the database with Management Access, you should be able to do this! And it’s especially timely, given that the early registration deadline for the Fall Leadership Conference is coming up on Monday, August 31. Here are the steps:
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Be sure you're logged in to the site.
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Go to the conference registration page.
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Select the number of tickets you want to purchase (and any accompanying meal tickets), and scroll down to click the "Continue" button.
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Next, you'll be asked to add the names and other information for your attendees. If they're in the database, their names should appear once you start typing into the Attendee Name field. As you fill in the required information for each attendee, click the "Continue" button at the bottom of the screen, and you'll move on to the next attendee.
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Once you've filled in information for all your attendees, click the "Continue" button again. That should bring you to the page where you'll enter payment info. You'll have the options of using a credit card, getting invoices, or using ACH payment.
If you need to be set up with Management Access, please contact our office.
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MDE School Mental Health Resources
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The beginning of a new school year is an exciting time for students, families, and staff. This excitement may also come with feelings of worry or anxiety. Child Mind Institute has some helpful ideas on back-to-school anxiety and tips for how to help kids manage worries and have a successful start to the school year. Additionally, Elena Aguilar, author of Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators and host of The Bright Morning Podcast has a brief webinar on eight ways educators can build emotional resilience . MDE also has many resources for families in the Back-to-School Toolkit, including resources for supporting student health and mental health.
Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems Cohort
MDE's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Center will facilitate a Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems Community of Practice (CoP) for the 2026-27 school year. For more information, visit Resources for Comprehensive School Mental Health. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Brienne.LaHaye@state.mn.us.
MDE School Mental Health Office Hours
MDE's Mental Health Lead serves as a source of information and support for schools in addressing the mental health needs of students, teachers, and school staff and developing comprehensive school mental health systems in schools and districts. The Mental Health Lead hosts monthly office hours to provide technical assistance to schools, districts, and charters who have questions about supporting student mental health and educator well-being needs. Register here: MDE School Mental Health Office Hours Registration.
Trauma Informed Practices for Safe and Supportive Schools
MDE's EDI Center and COMPASS divisions will co-facilitate a professional learning series throughout the 2026-27 school year to support trauma-informed practices. This 6-session series is designed to support educators and leaders in the systemic implementation of trauma-informed practices and strengthen capacity to respond with empathy, foster resilience, and embed trauma-informed approaches into everyday systems, structures, and decision-making. More information, session dates, and registration are available via the COMPASS in MnMTSS Professional Learning Catalog 2026-27.
Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems and Suicide Prevention Webinar
Creating safe, supportive, and responsive school environments requires a strong understanding of both best-practice frameworks and the policies that guide implementation. This webinar provides an overview of the Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems (CSMHS) Framework and the Comprehensive Suicide Prevention Framework. Participants will also explore key state statutes related to school mental health and suicide prevention, gaining insight into legal requirements, policy considerations, and opportunities for alignment with existing school and district practices. Through practical examples and discussion, attendees will learn how to apply best practices from these frameworks to strengthen their school mental health system. Multiple dates are available; here's a link to register for the September session.
Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG)
MDE will host a training on the STRONG Curriculum on Sept. 14 and 15. STRONG is an evidence-based, school-based intervention for immigrant and refugee youth (grades K-12) that aims to build resilience and address psychological distress associated with the newcomer experience from a culturally contextualized lens. STRONG is delivered by school mental health clinicians and is comprised of ten group sessions, one individual student session, and teacher and parent education sessions. Register here: STRONG Intervention Registration.
We will share additional resources in next week's newsletter!
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MDE Special Education Updates, August 28 | Read more
MDE Ed-Fi Updates, August 24 | Read more
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Important: Compliance Reminder from U.S. Department of Education on Membership Dues and Federal Grant Funds
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Last year, the U.S. Department of Education sent many districts a letter reiterating that federal grant funds may not be used to pay membership dues if any portion of those dues supports lobbying activities.
Because nonprofit organizations, including professional associations like ours, often use a portion of dues to contract for lobbying services, districts must not code MASE membership dues to federal special education funds.
Please review your district’s accounting practices to ensure compliance with this federal requirement. Membership dues should be charged only to appropriate, non-federal funding sources. MASE estimates that 25% of its Government Relations contract is allocable to direct lobbying, representing 2.56% of total dues, which is non-deductible as a business expense under IRC §162(e).
View the full Department of Education letter
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Blue Ribbon Commission Draft Recommendations Call for $255 Million in Special Education Reductions
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In the 2025 legislative session, the legislature established a Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC) on Special Education charged with developing a plan to transform special education services while maintaining a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. Additionally, the legislature charged the BRC with the difficult task of identifying $250 million in cuts to the state special education budget. Without the identification of $250 million in savings, the reduction will be taken from cross-subsidy aid.
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MASE now offers a variety of T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, and other merchandise. Show your MASE spirit at our Fall Leadership Conference and other events! Merchandise will be shipped directly to you. Here are just a few of the options available:
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Minnesota Kids Rise Video
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Minnesota Kids Rise is a statewide effort to build trust, pride, and shared understanding of our public schools. We bring together real stories, local examples, and clear information so communities can feel confident in the role public schools play in our shared future. This work provides a clear, balanced view of how public schools support every child and strengthen communities across Minnesota. MASE encourages you to share this video to help spread the word!
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MDE Special Education Funding Training Webinars
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Registration is open for seven webinars running until October 21. Presentation material and information on joining the webinar will be sent to registered participants the day before each training.
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Your Opinion Matters, So CEC Is Asking: Would You Attend This?
CEC is exploring the idea of creating a new series that would allow you to view 15-minute demonstrations featuring products, services, and programs from our partners all related to one subject. The subject could be anything from math instruction to IEPs or graduate programs for educators in special education.
Before CEC builds the lineup, though, we are reaching out to community members like you who have attended CEC webinars before to see if this is something you'd be interested in attending.
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What Really Happens in Due Process: Lessons for Principals, Teachers, and District Leaders
CASE is offering a free one-hour webinar on Wednesday, September 2, starting at 1 p.m. CDT. Dr. David Bateman will kick off a monthly workshop series and office hours next month. The learning series is for General Education and Special Education leaders! This five-part workshop series is designed specifically for principals and building-level leaders who are responsible for ensuring students with disabilities receive effective, legally compliant services under IDEA and Section 504. The series focuses on one of the most important realities in schools: special education works best when building leaders work together.
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Review and Comment on Proposed EIDBI Licensing Standards
The Minnesota Department of Human Services seeks feedback on proposed licensing standards for Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) providers. These standards will establish the requirements agencies must meet to become and remain licensed, while helping ensure the health, safety, rights, and quality of services for children receiving EIDBI.
If you work with EIDBI providers, families, or students who may be impacted, take a few minutes to review the draft standards and share your feedback. Input from providers, families, advocates, and community members will help shape the final recommendations that will be submitted to the Minnesota Legislature in January 2027.
The public comment period is open through August 31.
To review the draft standards, register for an engagement session, or submit comments, visit: EIDBI public comment info/link
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CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
For a few weeks my update has led with this quote by Margaret Meade, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” This continues to ring true following our time in Washington in July. While the issues are critical, we are committed as are the delegation of congresswomen and men representing Minnesota.
Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS)
A delegation from MASE met with our colleagues from across the nation to advocate for special education on Capitol Hill. Our Minnesota delegation had the opportunity to meet with both of our senators and all eight of our representatives while we were in D.C. We discussed three main issues with them, outlined in the issue briefs from the Council of Administrators of Special Education that are linked below.
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Federal Funding for Special Education (download PDF)
School Vouchers / Public Funds (download PDF)
Preserving the Department of Education (download PDF)
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Preserve the U.S. Department of Education, keeping all education programs funded under that agency together in the agency that is best able to ensure compliance with federal education laws.
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Halt the use of any Interagency Agreements to dismantle the Department of Education; such agreements have never been used to transfer programs from one federal agency to another.
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Maintain the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) within the U.S. Department of Education.
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Reject any changes that weaken IDEA implementation and oversight.
It really is an empowering event! We would love to have a bigger delegation...consider attending with us next July! In the meantime...
What can you do?
Contact your legislators!
Share your stories! The CASE office is collecting membership testimonials. Please fill out the form and forward it to three of your CASE friends, asking them to do the same.
Renew Your Membership
With MASE membership renewals in progress now, we strongly encourage you to keep or add a CEC/CASE Professional Basic Membership as part of your renewal! If the CEC/CASE membership is not included in your invoice, please contact Laurie Pumper at the MASE office to get your record updated; it’s a quick process. Less than half of our Active Members currently have opted in (or out) for CEC/CASE membership—let’s get our numbers up!
Abraham Thinking
Abe Saffer, Director of Governmental Relations for CASE, will begin Abraham Thinking to ponder policy and articulate advocacy on September 8. This is scheduled on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm CST. Register on the CASE website.
CASE Conference
Registration for the CASE Conference is open. The conference takes place November 11-13 in Providence, Rhode Island. It would be awesome to have a Minnesota contingent attend. Consider adding this to your calendar. Check out details on the CASE website.
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Last Chance for Early Registration!
Early registration for the Fall Leadership Conference ends on Monday, August 31. Join us as we return to Madden’s on Gull Lake to host Leading Well Under Pressure on October 21-23. We will announce our keynote speakers next week!
More than 170 people are already registered for this year’s conference. We are tracking ahead of last year’s record attendance—don’t miss out!
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Sponsorship Opportunities for Fall Leadership Conference
Our sponsors and exhibitors make a significant contribution to the quality of the event—with your help, we are able to enhance our professional development opportunities. At this year’s conference, we expect over 300 special education leaders from school districts and charter schools throughout Minnesota.
Exhibit booths are going fast—only 4 spaces are still open! Boost your visibility at the conference even more with a sponsorship. We’ve already sold several of our top tier sponsorships, but these are some opportunities that are available right now:
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Mobile App Sponsor: Logo and link on MASE Fall Leadership Conference website and recognition on conference signage; includes 2 attendee registrations for the conference
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Headshot Station Sponsor: Logo and link on MASE Fall Leadership Conference website and recognition on conference signage; includes 1 attendee registration for the conference
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Keynote Sponsor: Sponsor may introduce the speaker and give a quick intro to your company; logo and link on MASE Fall Leadership Conference website and recognition on conference signage; includes 1 attendee registration for the conference
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🎉 MNSELF Funding Is Available — Apply Today!
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Did you know that funds raised at MNSELF events go directly back to YOU? MNSELF is now accepting proposals through our Professional Development Funding RFP—and we want to see your boldest ideas. Think beyond the typical district PD cycle: use funding for AI training to strengthen IEP quality, a book study on A Principal's Guide to Special Education, executive coaching, data literacy intensives, or legal fluency workshops. If it builds your leadership skills, we want to support it. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and reimbursement is issued after your final report is approved. Visit the MNSELF Website to access the RFP and submit your proposal—your next breakthrough in leadership development could be one application away!
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Members, Tell Us about Yourself
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We are bringing back the MASE Member Spotlights! We have some new questions and we’re hoping to hear from some of our members. We will feature Member Spotlights in this newsletter and in our social media posts so that members get to know more about one another. Thanks to those who have already responded!
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Student Attendance, Behavior, and Intervention Conference
October 19-20 | Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, the Depot
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This 2-day conference will equip district and school leaders with practical low-burden, high-impact strategies to improve student attendance, reduce problem behaviors, and deliver effective interventions with greater confidence to produce desired results.
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Help Share Info about Minnesota Kids Rise during Workshop Week
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As we prepare to welcome staff back for another school year, we know how valuable every single minute of workshop week is. We’re asking you to make a small amount of time for one important thing: help share information about the Minnesota Kids Rise statewide public school initiative.
Too often, the story of public education is defined by what isn’t working. Minnesota Kids Rise is an opportunity to broaden that story by showing Minnesotans what happens in our public schools every day — the relationships, opportunities, innovation, achievement, and countless moments that help our students grow.
First, please familiarize yourself with Minnesota Kids Rise.
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Go to www.minnesotakidsrise.org and read about the campaign and sign up for the toolkit, if interested.
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Follow Minnesota Kids Rise on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, and YouTube.
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Watch and send the launch video to your social circles and ask them to follow Minnesota Kids Rise on social media.
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Tell your families about Minnesota Kids Rise via district communications — these resources have been made for you and are available in the online toolkit.
During workshop week, please set aside a few minutes with your staff to introduce Minnesota Kids Rise and ask them to get involved in these simple ways:
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Go to www.minnesotakidsrise.org and read about the campaign.
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Follow Minnesota Kids Rise on social media. Share its content. Tell the stories of the incredible things happening in your school.
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Watch and send the launch video to their social circles and ask them to follow Minnesota Kids Rise on social media.
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For those districts that have not started school yet, come and attend “I’m a Minnesota Kid Day” at the Minnesota State Fair on September 2 and look for our booth celebrating Minnesota’s public schools.
Most importantly, remind your team that their voices matter. Every teacher, principal, staff member, parent, graduate, and community member has a public school story. When thousands of us begin telling those stories together, we can change the conversation about public education in Minnesota.
Minnesota Kids Rise isn’t about suggesting our schools don’t face challenges. We know they do. It’s about making sure those challenges aren’t the only stories Minnesotans hear.
Thank you for your leadership and for everything you do for Minnesota's students.
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2026 MASA Fall Conference: Register Now!
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Registration is open for the 2026 MASA Fall Conference in Brainerd!
Minnesota's school leaders are doing some of the most important—and most complex—work in our state. This fall, MASA gathers educational leaders from across Minnesota to learn, connect, and lead forward together.
Look for practical sessions that move beyond awareness to real implementation guidance. Hear from peers who've navigated similar challenges. Walk away with tools, strategies, and ideas you can use on Wednesday morning after our conference.
September 27-29 | Madden’s on Gull Lake, Brainerd
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Click the button above to submit your news and/or job openings! Also, please whitelist info@mnase.org and laurie.pumper@mnase.org to ensure that you receive your newsletter without interruption.
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