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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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Keeping Up with Change
Happy Friday everyone,
As we move through October and look ahead to MEA weekend, there’s a lot happening across our field. I continue to have conversations about Out-of-Field Permissions — sharing the stories I’m hearing from across the state and asking for additional guidance and clarity. These experiences matter, and they help inform the discussions we continue to bring forward.
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I’m also watching the recent H-1B visa proposal that could impose a $100,000 fee on districts employing international teachers—a change that would have a serious impact on staffing in many areas. For those wanting to stay informed, Education Week, AASA, and CASE are tracking updates closely.
Planning for the MASE Fall Conference at Madden’s is well underway, and we’re excited to have record numbers of attendees joining us this year!
As we head into next week’s MEA weekend, I hope you find time to enjoy it — whether you’re traveling, relaxing, attending MEA events, or simply catching up on life. Note: We will send a short version of MIYM on Wednesday rather than Friday because of MEA.
As always...thanks for all you do!
See you soon at Madden’s!
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Sharing a Glimmer
“This may seem strange, but I recently attended a funeral for my 95-year-old uncle. He was a wonderful man and lived a wonderful life. Whenever I saw him, he was smiling. His smile became a glimmer, and now my memory of him becomes a moment of awe that I carry forward.”
From Diane McCarron, SpEd Forms
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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Welcome, Platinum Business Partners!
Strategic Behavioral Solutions
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Work Life Ready
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NEW
Concurrent Enrollment Grant Now Open—FY 2026 and 2027
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State funds are available to eligible applicants to develop or expand Concurrent Enrollment “Introduction to Teaching” or “Introduction to Education” courses consistent with Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 124D.09, subdivision 10—to encourage secondary school students, especially American Indian students and students of color, to pursue teaching. The Career and College Success Division (CCSD) has posted this competitive grant program, with applications due November 21, 2025. An information session will be held Oct. 13 at 1 p.m.
Visit the Concurrent Enrollment Introduction to Teaching Grant page for grant details, to register for the information session, or to watch the recording.
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Minnesota Setting IV Program Leaders
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Attention Setting IV Leaders: We are continuing to meet quarterly (and virtually!) as a statewide group this year. The MN Setting IV Program Leaders meeting provides an opportunity for leaders from federal Setting IV programs across the state to convene, ask questions, discuss topics of interest, and share resources, ideas, and strategies.
If you or someone you know would like to be added to the meeting invitations for this year, please reach out to Kate Hulse at kate.hulse@isd917.org.
The remaining 2025-26 meeting schedule is as follows: Dec. 4, Feb. 5, 2026, and April 9, 2026, from 8:30–10:00 a.m.
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ONGOING
MASE Membership Renewals
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Thanks to all who have renewed already. Important: If you are part of a district with a central billing office, we need to have your billing contact in our system so that they receive notifications if you have chosen the invoice option for your membership (or for conference and event registration).
Also, if you want to sign up for a CEC/CASE membership and it doesn’t already appear on your invoice, please contact Laurie Pumper at laurie.pumper@mnase.org. It’s an easy fix. We are also working through some issues with CEC regarding memberships.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out; staff are all happy to assist!
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IMPORTANT: Compliance Reminder from the U.S. Department of Education
Many district leaders recently received a Dear Colleague letter from the U.S. Department of Education reiterating that federal grant funds may not be used to pay membership dues if any portion of those dues supports lobbying activities.
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U.S. Education Department Brings Back Mental Health Grants
From K-12 DIVE, Sept. 29, 2025: The U.S. Department of Education will begin accepting grant applications for $270 million across two programs aimed at boosting student mental health that were controversially canceled last spring, according to notices to be published in the Federal Register on Sept. 29.
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The first SLICE session is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4, on the topic of Data Collection. Watch for additional details soon! View a full list of dates for the 2025-26 year.
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NEW
CASE Discipline Boot Camp Featuring Julie Weatherly, Esq.
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The CASE Discipline Boot Camp gives principals practical strategies to implement fair, consistent, and legally sound discipline practices. Participants will learn proactive approaches that reduce exclusions, promote equity, and build safe, supportive school environments where students and staff can thrive.
Some topics covered during this Boot Camp include: historical review of 17 Rules of Discipline for Students with Disabilities, and answers to questions such as how those rules apply to in-school suspension, bus suspension, general education students not yet identified, and students who commit crimes and exhibit other dangerous behaviors.
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Advanced Placement (AP) Summit Hosted at MDE—Nov. 6
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Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), in collaboration with the College Board and the Minnesota AP Advisory Council, is hosting a full-day summit to advance access and success in the Advanced Placement (AP) program. Participants will attend breakout sessions on different topics and share ideas with other schools via presentations, a panel, and networking. Districts are encouraged to bring a team, if possible. Intended audience includes superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of curriculum/teaching and learning, principals, assistant principals, school counselors, AP coordinators or AP teachers.
Visit the MDE Calendar to register for this free in-person event. If you have questions, please contact mde.postsecondary@state.mn.us.
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Register for MASE Finance Academy
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The MASE Finance Academy is geared to current and new Directors of Special Education!
Our all-day in-person sessions will provide an overview and deep dive into special education finance. It will include timely reporting, state and federal aid, tuition billing, third party billing, and much, much more.
Our virtual sessions will consist of "just in time" information. In October, the session will focus on setting up time and effort, aligning it to codes in SEDRA, and ensuring you maximize your tuition billing based on coding.
The Finance Academy kicks off with a virtual session on Oct. 28. The first in-person session is scheduled for Nov. 10 in Bemidji.
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Registration Closes Monday for the 2025 MASE Fall Leadership Conference!
We’re excited to bring you a three-day program filled with opportunities to learn, share, and connect. From dynamic keynote speakers to engaging breakout sessions, this year’s schedule is designed to inspire and equip you with tools you can take back to your schools and teams.
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Don’t Forget! Pre-order Your Bingo Tickets
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Join MNSELF on Thursday, October 23, 2025, in the Townhall Ballroom for an unforgettable evening of fun at the MASE Fall Leadership Conference! In addition to bingo, we will have an exciting raffle event with loads of fun prizes.
Tickets will sell fast, so don't miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable evening. Mark your calendars now and get ready to play, win, and support a cause close to our hearts. Let's make this year's Bingo fundraiser one to remember!
🌟BINGO $20 for 2 packs
🌟BINGO $10 for 1 pack
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Register Now for the CASE Conference
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The CASE Conference in Oklahoma City is right around the corner—November 5-7 in Oklahoma City to celebrate 50 years of the IDEA. CASE puts on a great conference and it is well worth your time to attend. If you are interested, you can find registration and hotel information on the CASE website. Many people attended the conference last year and we would love to have another big group from Minnesota in OKC!
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Register Now! MDE Special Education Funding Training Webinars
Registration is now open for the following webinar:
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MASE Committee Sign-up
Although we have provided the names of those who signed up for committees to the respective committee chairs, you are still welcome to sign up for committees for the 2025-26 year! Go to the Member Compass and click on the Profile tab on the left side of the screen.
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Welcome, Silver Business Partners!
The Stepping Stones Group
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NEW
Resources to Prepare for Title II of the ADA
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One of the resources shared at the informational webinar on Title II and Digital Accessibility for Minnesota School Districts was the Minnesota Office of Accessibility Digital Accessibility Newsletter.
The next article in the series on preparing for the update to ADA Title II discusses how to embed accessibility into your agency’s digital development workflow. Please share this resource with your IT and Communications staff and subscribe to the Digital Accessibility Newsletter.
Attend a Title II Digital Accessibility Drop-in Session to discuss issues and strategies to improve your organization’s digital accessibility. Sessions are the second Monday of the month at 4 p.m. and are hosted by Minnesota’s Chief Information Accessibility Officer (CIAO).
Under ADA Title II, school districts and charter schools must make sure that their web content, digital content, and mobile apps meet accessibility requirements. The effective date for this rule is either April 2026 or 2027, dependent on the size of the school or district.
Minnesota Charting the LifeCourse Learning Opportunities
The University of Minnesota is excited to share several upcoming Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) learning opportunities! In 2025, the university will offer two Learning Sessions and a Fundamentals Series designed for families, educators, case managers, and professionals who support people with disabilities.
These sessions are offered at no cost and provide practical tools and real-life strategies to help people explore, plan, and achieve their vision of a good life.
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ONGOING:
Help Us Spread the Word
If you know non-licensed special education teachers, paraprofessionals, or others interested in becoming licensed special education teachers, please share this opportunity with them. This recruitment event is designed to connect future teacher candidates with special education preparation programs and provide clear pathways toward licensure.
Your Path to Special Education Starts Here: Join Our Recruitment Event
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Current non-licensed special education teachers working in schools who want to pursue licensure.
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Paraprofessionals or support staff interested in becoming licensed special education teachers.
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Individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field who want to transition into special education teaching.
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Teacher candidates seeking licensure through special education preparation programs.
Date: October 21, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Online (Join from anywhere!)
For more information, visit: https://secure.smore.com/n/femt6
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CASE/CEC Open Resources:
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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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