NEW

Speaking Up Matters

By Erin Toninato

Captivate Media + Consulting was approached by several Minnesota school districts to create a video on special education funding. In early February, I had the opportunity to be part of a feedback loop prior to its release.

In the initial version, the word “burden” was used in reference to the cross-subsidy. You know that term is like nails on a chalkboard for me when we talk about special education funding. I shared that this work is a responsibility, not a burden—and that the distinction matters. “Burden” can unintentionally suggest that students themselves are something heavy or undesired.

They appreciated the feedback and made the change. I’m grateful they did.

It may feel like a small shift, but it’s a reminder that speaking up matters—every time.

If you haven’t had a chance to see it yet, here is the video that explains funding and cross-subsidy:

Money Minute: In Baseball, We Count Everything

By Rob Dehnert

Last March, my wife and I packed our bags and headed to the desert for a long-overdue trip to Arizona to catch a Cubs spring training game.  There’s something therapeutic about the sound of a wood bat connecting with a ball and the smell of fresh-cut grass in the middle of March. As I sat in the stands, scorecard in hand, I was reminded of one of the reasons I love this game so much: in baseball, we count everything. Every pitch, every foul ball, every caught stealing—it’s all tracked, measured, and analyzed to tell the story of the game.

As Directors of Special Education, our "game" is just as data-driven. While we may not have a traditional scoreboard in the outfield, we are responsible for "counting" every dollar, every FTE, and every student encounter to ensure our programs remain sustainable. Just like a manager checking a pitcher’s pitch count, we need to know exactly where we stand at any given moment in the fiscal year.

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:

A bill heard in the House Education Finance Committee drew considerable attention. HF3490 would opt Minnesota into a new federal scholarship tax credit established under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA). The measure would provide a credit of up to $1,700 for donations to tax-exempt scholarship-granting organizations serving Minnesota K–12 students in both private and public schools. Chief author Rep. Andrew Myers argued it is an opportunity to bring more money into Minnesota schools, noting that without it, Minnesotans may contribute to scholarship organizations in other states. However, opponents raised concerns that it functions as a national voucher system directing federal tax dollars toward private schools without the transparency, accountability, and public oversight required of public schools. Another point made is that federal dollars could be better spent fulfilling the federal government's long-unfunded commitment for its share of special education costs.

House Education Policy Committee: The committee heard several bills last week. HF3421 addresses early literacy field experience requirements for teacher candidates providing early literacy instruction. The committee also considered HF3067, which adds meeting core competencies as another way a Title 1 paraprofessional can meet required federal qualifications. MASE member Alexis Mann testified on behalf of MASE. Thanks, Alexis!

Rounding out the agenda was HF3730, the MDE policy bill. This bill does not include any changes to the special education statutes but includes provisions related to aligning state law to McKinney Vento and migratory children.

House Education Finance Committee: In addition to HF3490 (detailed above), the committee heard HF1099, addressing the share of unreimbursed special education aid paid by resident school districts to charter schools and adjusting the state portion of special education aid for unreimbursed charter school expenditures.

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.

HF4114, Repealing the contingent reduction in special education aid appropriations

HF4116, Requiring a length of time to elapse before a new education mandate takes effect

HF4181, Modifying the special education teacher pathway program to include related services providers

ONGOING

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.

NOTES: MDE Special Education Update archive: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/sped/news

NEW

2026 Special Education Law & Leadership Conference

Tuesday, April 14 | 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center

Registration is open for the annual Special Education Law & Leadership Conference presented by Ratwik, Roszak & Maloney, P.A. The day includes keynote presentations from Marisa Franco, Ph.D., and Anne Gearity, Ph.D., as well as 12 breakout topics.

ONGOING

Register Now for MASE Best Practices Conference!

In the two weeks since registration opened, more than 200 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 have confirmed our breakout speakers and topics, and plan to have that information available on our website soon.

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!

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: Meaningful Work Experiences in Post-Secondary Transition Programming

Tuesday, April 7 | 12 p.m.

The topic for our next SLICE webinar is Meaningful Work Experiences in Post-Secondary Transition Programming, with presenters from Area G. 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.

You can register for additional SLICE sessions on the MASE website—check our Calendar.

Job Posting: Director of Services | SpEd Forms

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.