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PURPOSE
MASE strives to:
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Offer information that is concise, consistent and predictable to support the work you do in your communities
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Streamline our communications and reduce the number of messages in your mailbox
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A message from Erin Toninato,
MASE Executive Director:
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 The MASE Connection Is Real
For me, one of the best parts of MASE has always been the relationships. It’s something I know I talk about often—and this week was another reminder that the MASE connection is real. What begins as a shared role or regional connection often grows into something much deeper. Over time, these connections become real, longstanding friendships—ones where we know about each other’s work, our families, our celebrations, and the hard seasons along the way.
That reality has been in the forefront this week as our MASE community experienced the loss of a member who served MASE, supported leaders, and also became a personal friend. Many people are feeling the same loss, a reminder that these relationships may begin in MASE, but they do not end there.
Some of us were able to gather to support each other and honor our friend. It is not lost on me that none of us would have ever crossed paths if it weren't for MASE.
In times like this, the care and connections matter deeply. I am grateful for the support and to support…
As always...thanks for all you do!
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✨ Sharing a Glimmer ✨
“We have a young man with low ability, wheelchair bound, with very minimal use of the left hand. Our WBL teacher came to me last year very frustrated. The young man was due to graduate and the outside agencies had no idea what to do with him. Matt asked if he could create a program for the student for this year. Last week, I got a picture of the young man standing in his new sit/stand wheelchair... washing dishes... with a giant smile on his face. It's a glimmer I think of often.”
Sarah Mittelstadt, Southern Plains Education Cooperative
Share your own “MASE Moments of Awe.” These are the stories—the glimmers—that highlight the beauty and importance of what we do.
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MDE Special Education Updates, December 11 | Read more
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ONGOING
Grant Opportunity: Grow Your Own (GYO) FY27 Grant Now Posted
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From MDE
The FY27 competition for the Grow Your Own (GYO) grant is now posted.
GYO programs are partnerships between districts, charter schools, service cooperatives, or Tribally Controlled Schools, and teacher preparation programs that help local residents—such as parents, school staff, and students—become teachers in their own communities, with a focus on diversifying the teacher workforce by prioritizing candidates of color and Indigenous candidates. Districts, charters, cooperatives and Tribally Controlled Schools may apply for either adult, student, or both programs to support candidates to become teachers.
For assistance with questions, contact Kleber Ortiz (Adult Pathway) or Kristie Anderson (Student Pathway). The grant application is due on January 15, 2026. Read more in last week’s MIYM
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Due Today: MTAS/Alternate MCA Eligibility Requirements and the Assurance, Rationale and Context Process
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Minnesota's alternate assessment, the Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) or Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA), is the standards-based accountability assessment designed for, and limited to, students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. It is designed to measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and meet the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Students who receive special education services and meet the eligibility criteria may take the MTAS/Alt MCA. Refer to the Eligibility Requirements and Decision-Making Tool for Minnesota Alternate Assessments for more information.
Once the district has prepared their answer to the questions, one staff person will submit the district’s response by December 12, 2025.
Read the full notice
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Member Survey: Identifying Cost-Savings in Minnesota Special Education
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Last session, the legislature established a Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education to advise and assist the legislature and governor in transforming special education services.
The purpose of the commission is to develop an action plan for transforming special education services while maintaining a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities by Oct. 1, 2026. Tied to the work of this commission is the expectation to find $250 million in savings or cross-subsidy aid will be reduced by the same amount in the FY28-29 biennium. Read More
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Submit a Breakout Session for the MASA Spring Conference
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MASA invites proposals for 60-minute concurrent breakout sessions at the MASA Annual Spring Conference, held Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Minneapolis Marriott NW in Brooklyn Park, MN.
Please submit your proposal by completing this form by Jan. 30, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their proposal status by Feb. 13, 2026. Full information can be found here!
Participant and exhibitor registration will open in January—stay tuned!
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Nominate a Colleague Today for 2026 MASA Awards
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Each year, MASA provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding members who are dedicated leaders and advocates for children and Minnesota education! Nomination deadline is December 31, 2025.
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Please remember that anyone can nominate for MASA awards. Candidates may be self-nominated or nominated by someone else. Please feel free to share the award nomination information with your staff and community!
About MASA’s Awards
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MASE Retiree Members—Let’s Connect!
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 1 p.m.
I hope you’re looking forward to the holiday season. I would love to connect with you to check in, hear how things are going, and discuss how MASE can continue supporting you—as well as how your experience and insight can support MASE.
Please join me for a brief Google Meet on December 18 at 1 p.m. The meeting link is included below. I hope to see you there.
https://meet.google.com/yjp-gsae-fhn?authuser=0&hs=122
Take care,
Diane McCarron
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Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Information Webinar
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 1 p.m.
From MDE
School districts, charter schools, and Tribally Controlled Schools interested in exploring an innovative teacher workforce pathway are invited to attend an upcoming Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Information Webinar.
Featuring experts from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, MDE, and Teacher Apprenticeship Sponsors, this session will highlight how this “earn and learn” model can help your district recruit, prepare, and retain high-quality teachers through strong partnerships with teacher preparation providers, unions, and state agencies.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of the registered teacher apprenticeship model, key requirements, current progress across the state, and practical next steps for program development and registration.
One more webinar session will be offered on December 18 at 1 p.m. Recordings will be available to those who wish to view the presentation at a later time.
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MASE Legislative Advocacy Training—Register Now
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Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 10–11 a.m.
In this virtual training, you will gain an understanding of how the Minnesota Legislature works and learn practical strategies to connect with your state legislators. Together, we’ll explore the importance of grassroots advocacy, discuss effective ways to build relationships with elected officials, and walk through how to craft a compelling elevator pitch to share the story of special education.
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Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Navigating Generative AI
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Tuesday, December 16 2025 | 1 p.m.
The topic for this session is Navigating Gen AI; the presenter will be David Berner, SWWC Technology Integration Program Coordinator. These sessions are open to members only. You'll receive the link to join in your confirmation email.
Reminder: You must login to our website to see the registration button for this event.
You can register for additional SLICE sessions on the MASE website—check our Calendar.
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Jackie Budden, Director of Special Education for Marshall Public Schools, will retire at the end of this school year. Jackie has served on the MASE Board of Directors and on several of our committees—congratulations! The following job posting is for her position.
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Aspiring Leaders Session: January 20, 6:30–8 pm | Virtual
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Has someone tapped you on the shoulder and complimented your leadership capabilities? Join us for Professional Development opportunities with other aspiring leaders who are considering going back to school for Special Education Administration. Questions? Contact Amy Waldspurger, awaldspurger@isd721.org.
Download a Flyer and Register!
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Reminder: Summer Agricultural Grant Opportunity – Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027
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State funds are available to eligible school districts through a competitive grant program established under Minnesota Laws 2017, 1st Special Session, chapter 5, article 2, section 51, subdivision 1. This grant supports agricultural education teachers for extended summer work with high school students in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (AFNR) programs.
Grant funding may be used to match teacher compensation for up to 40 working days over the summer. Programs must provide students the opportunity to earn any proportion of credit as an extension of the district’s approved Career and Technical Education (CTE)–AFNR program.
Visit the Competitive Grants page for full grant details.
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School Psychology Graduate Program at MSU-Moorhead
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MSU-Moorhead currently has MDE School Psychology Pipeline funds to help defray costs for attending our graduate program and reduce barriers for people interested in a career in Minnesota—up to $27,000 in scholarships and support for the first two pre-internship years of coursework.
The program has both in-person (10-12 slots) and remote (4-6 slots) options in our NASP-approved program and encourage Grow Your Own applications—but because it is very competitive (especially for the remote spots) it is a good idea for the district and applicant to talk to us during the application process so we can get an idea of who is applying and what regional/MN needs they would be filling.
MSU-Moorhead has three upcoming virtual open houses for people to get some more information about our program, application (due Feb. 1), grants, etc., on Nov. 17, Dec. 8, and Jan. 14.
Contact: Lisa Stewart, Director of the School Psychology graduate program at MSU-Moorhead
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CSTAG: Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines Training
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Hosted by SWWC Service Cooperative
Join us this January for a hands-on, evidence-based training designed to help school teams move beyond awareness and build a safe, systematic, and sustainable K–12 threat assessment and management model.
Participants will learn CSTAG’s structured decision-making process, receive practical implementation tools, and leave with a district-specific plan aligned with legal and best-practice guidelines.
📅 January 22, 2026 | ⏰ 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Registration 8:00–8:30 a.m.)
📍 Redwood Area Community Center, Redwood Falls, MN
👤 Trainer: Mark Muscat, School Psychologist & Behavior Intervention Specialist
💡 Registration Deadline: January 15, 2026
Lunch, materials, and resources included.
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CASE/CEC Open Resources:
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Helpful Links
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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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