From MDE

We know changes in federal immigration and education policy pose real challenges for students, families, and educators. As always, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) remains committed to ensuring every child—of every background, zip code, and ability—has the opportunity to access a world-class education. We are here to support you in that work, and to keep you informed.

As a reminder, there are resources and guidance for navigating changes in federal immigration policy within your school communities available.

Please consider this guidance—and similar resources listed below—as you are updating and revisiting plans to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment for every student we serve.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting our students and schools.

Resources Available:

• Minnesota Attorney General Immigration Guidance for Schools

• School Superintendents Association Resource

• American Federation of Teachers Toolkit

• Minnesota Education Equity Partnership Toolkit

MDE Special Education Updates, December 5 | Read more

MDE Ed-Fi Updates, December 1 | Read more

From MDE

Last month, Congress passed federal funding legislation, and President Trump signed the bill into law, ending the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history.

For most federal agencies, the continuing resolution appropriates funding through Jan. 30, 2026. The package includes three full-year FY 2026 appropriations bills (Agriculture–FDA, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction–VA), which fund those agencies through Sept. 30, 2026.

Federal education investments are a critical part of how districts and charter schools across Minnesota structure and provide high-quality education to more than 870,000 students across our state. We are hopeful Congress will pass, and the President will sign, legislation to fund the remaining agencies through the end of federal fiscal year 2026. We will continue to monitor the situation in Washington—especially as the January 30 deadline nears—and will continue to be in communication with you.

Amidst the constant change, we continue to follow the federal laws that guide our work in education, the laws that continue to govern the longstanding protections and supports students and schools depend on every day. And our “Tracking Federal Education Investments in your Community” page, which highlights how federal dollars support individual public school districts and charter schools in every corner of our state, continues to be a resource to support your communications and advocacy.

We will continue to advocate for stability and clarity amidst federal uncertainty. As always, MDE remains here to provide information, support, and connection as we navigate these changes together. In Minnesota, our commitment hasn’t changed: ensuring every student, of every background and ability, has access to a world-class education. Thank you for everything you do for your students and communities.

By Melissa Schaller, MASE Representative to CASE

• Read the press release (To Honor IDEA’s 50th, National Organizations Team Up to Support Children with Disabilities and Educators) regarding the shared principles the Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), signed with more than 850 individuals and organizations—MASE included! Together we affirm our shared commitment to ensuring that children and youth with disabilities receive the education and support fundamental to their growth and development.

• “60 Minutes with Myrna” on Dec. 9 is open to the public. Please mark this on your calendar. Important news will be shared about the real potential for IDEA to be moved to Health and Human Services.

• The CASE Academy of Law and Leadership is being held in Atlanta, Georgia, April 21-23, 2026. Registration will open in early December, so be on the lookout. This is an outstanding event as with all the professional development offered by CASE.

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. Most adult program grants will not exceed $750,000; however, there is no maximum grant award. The grant provides support over five years to fund scholarships, stipends, and wraparound services for candidates pursuing their first professional teaching license. Within the adult grants at least 80 percent of the awarded funds must be spent on candidates of color or Indigenous candidates. Student programs may apply for up to $500,000 across five years to provide future teacher clubs, service learning, concurrent enrollment introduction to education type courses, wrap-around supports and scholarships. Participation in student programs must match or exceed local demographics with any scholarship funds going solely to students of color or Indigenous students pursuing a teacher licensed at an approved Minnesota teacher prep program.

For assistance with questions, contact Kleber Ortiz (Adult Pathway) or Kristie Anderson (Student Pathway). The grant application is due on January 15, 2026.

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

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!

Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 3 p.m.

I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful autumn and 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 3 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

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.

Two webinar sessions will be offered, each covering the same information. Recordings will also be available to those who wish to view the presentation at a later time.

• Register for the December 8, 2025, webinar at 1 p.m.

• Register for the December 18, 2025, webinar at 1 p.m.

Join us to learn how your district can take the next step in growing your own future educators.

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.

We do ask that you register to help us avoid Zoom-bombing.

Join us at Noon on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for a SLICE of Collaboration! The topic for this session is Navigating Gen AI; the presenter will be David Berner, SWWC Technology Integration Program Coordinator.

To avoid "Zoom bombing," we do ask that you register in advance—there's no cost. 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.

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!

Job Posting: Senior Manager of Special Education | Intermediate District 287

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.

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

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.