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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From the Executive Director,
Erin Toninato:
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 Celebrating Advocacy for Special Education
A quick celebratory message today!
Earlier this week, many MASE members spent the day at the Capitol advocating for students, families, and the leaders who support them across Minnesota.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to show up and share the realities of our work with legislators. Those conversations matter.
A special thank you to our Legislative Tri-Chairs, the Legislative Committee, and our lobbyist, Valerie Dosland, for preparing members for a busy and meaningful day.
It was another great example of MASE leadership in action!
As always, thanks for all you do...
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Thanks to Nicole Woodward for sharing a photo from our Day at the Capitol event!
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✨ 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.
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Legislative Update Recap
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:
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Budget Update: Minnesota Management and Budget released an updated budget forecast showing a significantly improved budget outlook.
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House Education Policy Committee: The committee heard HF3489, which modifies the law relating to grooming and other offenses against students. The bill was passed and sent to the House Public Safety Committee.
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Senate Education Policy Committee: The committee heard the bill to prohibit cell phones in schools. No action was taken on the bill. The committee heard and acted on two bills to address concerns about recent federal immigration actions.
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House Education Finance Committee: MDE provided the committee with an overview of the 15-day drop statute and heard from school districts participating in the student attendance pilot. The committee also heard several bills related to school safety funding.
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Senate Education Finance Committee: MDE provided an overview on the 15-day drop statute and COMPASS & MTSS. The committee also heard from school districts participating in the Student Attendance Pilot Program.
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Joint Commission on Pensions and Retirement: The commission held its first meeting and heard updates from the various pension funds.
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Key Bill Introductions:
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HF3653, Increasing safe schools revenue to school districts; providing safe schools aid to charter schools and cooperative units (MASE priority)
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HF3730, MDE Policy Bill
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HF3770, Allowing a school district or charter school to opt out of statewide assessments.
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HF3776, Prohibiting screen time for children in preschool and kindergarten
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SF3722, Requiring notice of procedural safeguards for special education
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SF3908, Authorizing continued enrollment for students for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year
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SF3909, Repealing the contingent reduction in special education aid appropriations (MASE priority)
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MDE Special Education Updates, March 6 | Read more
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Results of Survey on Cost Savings
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.
To assist the MASE members serving on the commission, MASE sought out your ideas for cost-savings to help guide the MASE members appointed to the committee. Thanks for your ideas!
MASE Blue Ribbon Commission Survey - Key themes.docx
MASE Blue Ribbon Commission Survey - Results.xlsx
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CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Register Now for MASE Best Practices Conference!
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In about 24 hours since registration opened, more than 75 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 within two weeks.
New this year, we have added sponsorship opportunities for our Business Partners. Sponsorships and exhibit spaces are selling quickly. Don’t miss your opportunity to meet special education leaders from across Minnesota at our largest event of the year!
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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. Areas of study may include:
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To what extent are appropriate special education services available to students with autism spectrum disorder in Minnesota public schools?
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How well does the Minnesota Department of Education coordinate with and oversee school districts to ensure appropriate services are available and provided?
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. We 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. We evaluate state programs and activities to determine their effectiveness and efficiency. Visit our homepage if you would like more information about OLA.
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, we will classify as not public the identity of a person who provides input.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Join Us for Our Next SLICE of Collaboration Session: Attendance and Mental Health
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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.
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CEC 2026: Special Education Convention & Expo
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Salt Lake City, Utah | March 11-14
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The 2026 CASE Conference: Call for Proposals
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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.
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MASA Annual Spring Conference
March 19–20 | Minneapolis Marriott Northwest, Brooklyn Park
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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.
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