|
From the Executive Director,
Erin Toninato:
|
|
|
 The Value of Your Voice
One of the benefits of being part of MASE is having both a voice and an opportunity to help guide the priorities shaping special education in Minnesota. This week offers another example of that opportunity.
Within today's newsletter you will find a questionnaire from the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA). The OLA is conducting an evaluation related to services for students with autism spectrum disorder in Minnesota public schools and is seeking input from those closest to the work. Who better to inform these questions than MASE leaders?
They are exploring two questions:
· To what extent are appropriate special education services available to students with autism spectrum disorder in Minnesota public schools?
· How well does the Minnesota Department of Education coordinate with and oversee school districts to ensure appropriate services are available and provided?
MASE President Amy Ernst and I will also meet with representatives from the OLA to learn more about the evaluation and will share updates as we learn more.
Your input can help ensure the realities within our schools are reflected. It also feels like an opportunity to highlight the meaningful work happening across districts and cooperatives while thoughtfully raising some of the concerns many of you have shared—particularly related to non-school placements.
If you have a few moments, I encourage you to complete the questionnaire. For convenience, here is the link: OLA Questionnaire
You can read more about it in the "DO" section below.
As always, thanks for all you do...
|
|
|
|
|
✨ 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MASE Board Elections
MASE has two nominees for each position to be filled in our elections this year. For the office of President-Elect, Robert Dehnert with Faribault Public Schools and Ryan Rehnstrand with Lionsgate Academy (Minnetonka) are our candidates. For the office of Secretary, Lynn Krominga with Paul Bunyan Education Cooperative (Brainerd) and Tiffany Litman with Area Special Education Cooperative (East Grand Forks) are our candidates.
Watch for additional information about the candidates soon!
|
|
|
|
|
Recap: Legislative Update
MASE Lobbyist Valerie Dosland provides regular updates to members about what’s happening at the State Capitol. We typically send these emails on Monday during the Legislative Session. We also share this information in blog posts on the MASE website. Here are highlights from earlier this week:
House Education Policy Committee: The committee has considered several bills brought forward by PELSB and supported by MASE. HF3635 establishes an interstate teacher mobility compact, aimed at making it easier for licensed teachers from member compact states to teach in Minnesota. HF3638 is the PELSB policy bill that includes a provision to allow Tier 2 licensed candidates to enroll in any approved teacher preparation program, whether it is in Minnesota or another state.
House Education Finance Committee: The committee heard from the Minnesota Violence Prevention Project. It then considered two bills related to school safety. HF3653 (and an amendment) and HF2717 increase safe schools funding for school districts and extend safe schools aid to charter schools and cooperative school districts. MASE member Nicole Woodward from St. Croix River Education District testified in support of the bill and the section to include all cooperative school districts (education districts, special education districts, etc.). Thanks, Nicole!
Senate Education Finance Committee: The Senate Education Finance Committee also heard from the Minnesota Violence Prevention Project. A few smaller bills were on the agenda last week. One of note is SF2634, which provides $10 million in one-time funding for school personnel in public and nonpublic schools to access optional annual training on evidence-based best practices for relationship-building and de-escalation strategies and provides grants to support implementation of this training.
Key Bill Introductions: This is not a comprehensive list of all bills introduced. It focuses on key legislation aligned with legislative priorities and bills that may be of interest or concern to school districts.
HF3857, Increasing student support personnel aid; appropriating money
HF3969, Repealing the contingent reduction in special education aid appropriations
SF4021: Repealing the contingent reduction in special education aid appropriations
SF4023: Allowing for a disciplinary dismissal in kindergarten through grade 3
|
|
|
|
|
MDE Ed-Fi Updates, March 9 | Read more
Educator Workforce & Development Center Updates, March 9 | Read more
MDE Special Education Updates, March 13 | Read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
-
Look for information, including how to register, in the CASE Member Update on Friday, Feb. 27 regarding the CASE Annual Membership Meeting. This is scheduled for Friday, May 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
-
If you would like to support the process of reviewing proposals for the CASE Fall Conference, November 11-13 in Providence, Rhode Island, please complete this Google Form to indicate your interest. This process will begin later in March.
-
If you are attending the CASE Academy of Law and Leadership, April 21-23 in Atlanta, Georgia, don't forget to sign up for CASE Night on Wednesday, April 22.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Register Now for MASE Best Practices Conference!
|
|
|
|
|
In the week since registration opened, more than 150 people have already registered to attend our conference! Keynotes Phyllis Wolfram (CASE Executive Director) and Sherlonda Sharp (speaker, consultant, and comedian) are sure to share insightful and impactful presentations. We are confirming our breakout speakers and topics, and plan to have that information available on our website by the end of next week.
|
|
|
|
|
Our sponsor and exhibitor opportunities are also going quickly! The Lanyard Sponsorship, New Directors Cohort Session Sponsorship, Tote Bag Sponsorship, and Name Badge Sponsorship have all been sold. Many other great options for visibility remain!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Input Requested
Upcoming evaluation of autism spectrum disorder services in Minnesota’s public schools
From the Office of the Legislative Auditor
The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) has started an evaluation of autism spectrum disorder services in public schools.
OLA seeks input from stakeholders like you to help better understand where Minnesota excels and where there are areas for improvement. The information you provide will help OLA to fine-tune the focus of its evaluation.
To provide input, please complete OLA’s online questionnaire by March 30, 2026. They also encourage you to forward this invitation to others who may want to provide feedback on the topic.
OLA is a nonpartisan audit and evaluation office in the legislative branch of Minnesota state government. They evaluate state programs and activities to determine their effectiveness and efficiency. Visit OLA’s homepage for more information.
You may also provide written comments by contacting Caitlin Badger, the manager of this evaluation, at Caitlin.Badger@state.mn.us. Please note that if requested, OLA will classify as not public the identity of a person who provides input.
|
|
|
|
|
Download the 2026 MASE Legislative Platform
 The MASE Legislative Committee, working with lobbyist Valerie Dosland, has created our Legislative Platform for this session of the Minnesota Legislature. With Day at the Capitol less than a month away, read the platform so you’re aware of the issues our team will focus on. Key focus areas are fair and sustainable funding (including repeal of the $250 million cut to special education cross-subsidy aid), and flexible and supportive policy—especially pertaining to special educator recruitment and retention as well as safe and secure school environments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MDE Special Education Funding Training Webinars,
March–April 2026
Registration is open for three webinars in March and April. To register, simply click on the training date and follow the instructions. Presentation material and information on joining the webinar will be sent to registered participants the day before each training.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Members, Tell Us about Yourself
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Attendance and Mental Health
|
|
|
Tuesday, March 17 | 12 p.m.
The topic for our next SLICE webinar is Attendance and Mental Health, with presenters Sam Steinman and Holle Spessard. Join us at Noon for informal conversations with your colleagues from across the state. These sessions are open to members only. You'll receive the link to join in your confirmation e-mail.
Reminder: You must login to our website to see the registration button for this event.
Our thanks to the University of St. Thomas for sponsoring this session!
You can register for additional SLICE sessions on the MASE website—check our Calendar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Licensing
|
|
|
From PELSB, March 12
Anyone providing speech language services to a child on an IEP must either be a licensed Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) or a licensed Speech Language Pathologist Assistant (SLPA). This was effective July 1, 2025. The SLPA must be licensed through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to provide services in a school setting. SLPA is a protected title. Individuals may not provide speech-language pathology services as an SLPA without the required education and MDH license and need to be supervised by a SLP who is licensed through PELSB. SLPA licenses are not issued by PELSB.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 2026 CASE Conference: Call for Proposals
|
|
|
Providence, Rhode Island | Nov. 11-13
Presentations must be 60 minutes of structured content with embedded time for Q&A, a panel presentation, or an interactive session engaging attendees in a specific activity. Submit by March 16.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MASA Annual Spring Conference
March 19–20 | Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park
|
|
|
The MASA Spring Conference brings educational leaders from across the state together to share ideas, strengthen connections and inspire action. Centered on the theme Lead. Learn. Connect., the event celebrates our collective effort to guide, support, and create opportunities for every student to thrive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click the link 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.
|
|
|
