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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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 Wishing You Time to Recharge
Happy Friday to you all. As we head into the busyness of all things “winter break,” I just want to take a moment to wish you some time to slow down and recharge. No matter how you spend the coming days, I hope they’re shared with those you hold closest to your heart—and that you find moments of peace and joy during the season.
If you’re traveling, I hope you’re able to do so safely as the winter weather has been making an appearance across the state! Thank you for your leadership, your care for students, and the many ways you support one another through MASE. Personally and professionally, there is much to celebrate!
As always...thanks for all you do!
Happy Holidays!
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✨ Sharing a Glimmer ✨
“I love that I've made so many friends and connections with MASE members over the years—enough so that I'm recognized at conferences, in emails, and even on social media. There's nothing better than opening my inbox and seeing an email from a Minnesota administrator in need. Especially when it starts with, "Hi Andee. How are you?" It's a small reminder that although I'm no longer in the therapy room treating students, I'm still making a powerful impact. It feels so good to help bridge the gap for students, especially when the system continues to make it hard sometimes.”
– Andee Szwabowski, Next Level Speech Therapy
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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Note from MASE:
Because of the holidays, we will not send a MIYM newsletter next week. Our offices will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, but many of our staff members are taking additional time off during the next two weeks. You may experience a delayed response if you call or send an email. We hope you enjoy time with those you love, and wish you the best for the year ahead!
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MDE OFP Guidance
I was recently made aware that there is additional guidance related to Out-of-Field Permissions (OFPs) posted on the MDE website, and I wanted to be sure to share that update here. At the Fall Conference, we were told by MDE that additional guidance would be coming very soon, and many of us have been watching for it. I am not aware that this information was shared through the listserv, and there is no date included on the "additional information" page, so it is unclear whether this reflects the most recent update.
MDE OFP page
I hear your frustrations and concerns and will continue to seek clarification, share your stories. I will share any additional information as it becomes available.
– Erin Toninato, MASE Executive Director
Special Education Fiscal Monitoring Office Hours
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Fiscal Monitoring Team will hold monthly office hours through the duration of the 2025-2026 school year. These will be opportunities to ask questions about special education fiscal compliance topics.
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 the Dec. 5 MIYM
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MASE Legislative Advocacy Training Follow-up
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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.
Complete Our Short Questionnaire
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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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Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Onboarding Paraprofessionals
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Tuesday, January 6 2026 | 12 p.m.
The topic for this session is Paraprofessional Onboarding with presenter Brandon Yoney from Moorhead Area Schools. 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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CAREIMath
Improving math outcomes is a priority for districts nationwide, but many efforts fall short because they focus on isolated strategies rather than the system as a whole.
At the University of Minnesota’s Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI), we partner with districts and states to turn research into practice in ways that strengthen instructional systems. CAREIMath was created to do exactly that—bringing coherence, consistency, and evidence-based practices to mathematics instruction across an entire district.
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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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OSEP Update: December 2025
Message from OSEP Acting Director David J. Cantrell
I hope that you are faring well as winter is now upon us! This year has passed quickly and only a few weeks remain before we begin the new 2026 IDEA Grant and SPP/APR Determination process.
Last month was an important milestone in all of our lives as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)—originally the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975—a profound moment of reflection and recommitment. This landmark civil rights legislation transformed special education from a privilege into a right, opening public school doors for millions of children who had previously been denied access to education. The law guarantees a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for all eligible children, fundamentally changing the educational landscape. To celebrate the anniversary of IDEA, on Dec. 1, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, and OSERS Acting Assistant Secretary Kimberly Richey visited Winding Creek Elementary School in Stafford, Virginia. Winding Creek was selected for its excellence in implementing IDEA—many of the students receiving services there are exceeding State reading, science, and history proficiency targets. Secretary McMahon and Acting Assistant Secretary Richey visited multiple classrooms, delivered remarks about the importance of IDEA, and participated in an IDEA anniversary celebration with students and staff.
Read the full newsletter
The newsletter includes a link to a video describing the history and impact of the IDEA, some fast facts about the number of children served, and news from OSEP Centers
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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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