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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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Enjoy your MEA break and I can’t wait to see you at Madden’s!
As always...thanks for all you do!
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Sharing a Glimmer
“I am consistently inspired and impressed by how collaborative people who support students with special needs are. It so awesome to see people work together to support student needs. This past August, I observed over 800 paraprofessionals being trained by other school staff to support their learning journey. I loved that an additional day was devoted to supporting staff who work directly with students. It was also great to see staff with varying professional backgrounds giving their time to train and support to meet the needs of student.”
From Melanie Kray, Southwest West Central Service Cooperative
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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NEW
What’s Happening in D.C. and What Should You Say?
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As conversations continue about the future of the U.S. Department of Education, we know many of you are wondering what this might mean for special education programs and services. At this time, much remains unknown.
What we do know is that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) remains fully in effect. No federal laws have been amended, and our responsibilities to provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and ensure Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)placements for students continue without interruption.
It’s also important to note that staffing in Washington, D.C., is skeletal right now, which makes it challenging to obtain timely or clear information from federal offices. As of this writing, there has been no additional communication or direction from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) regarding any changes within the state.
MASE will continue to monitor developments closely, seek clarification as information becomes available, and keep you informed. In the meantime, please continue doing what you do best—supporting students, staff, and families with professionalism, compassion, and steadiness.
Talking Points
- Much remains unknown about the impact of federal changes on the Department of Education.
- IDEA remains fully intact—no amendments have been made to the law.
- Districts remain obligated to provide FAPE and ensure LRE for all eligible students.
- Students continue to receive the services and supports outlined in their IEPs.
- No new information has been released by MDE regarding changes at the state level.
- Staffing in D.C. is skeletal, making it difficult to obtain timely federal guidance.
- MASE is monitoring and advocating for clarity and will share updates as credible information becomes available.
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CEC Executive Director Interviewed about Mass Firings at OSEP
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On Oct. 14, CEC Executive Director Chad Rummel appeared on CNN to discuss how the Department of Education’s layoffs threaten special education nationwide. Without OSEP, IDEA is in grave jeopardy. CEC urgently calls on you to appeal to Congress to undo these cuts for the sake of children with disabilities, their families, and the educators who serve them.
"If you are a parent right now having a struggle with special education, or you're not getting the services you need, there's no one to call. If you are a teacher struggling, needing resources, those resources might be there today. They might be gone tomorrow."
This news, coming on the heels of a significant reduction in force at ED this spring that has already shrunk the workforce by nearly half, is devastating. It eliminates the expertise and oversight critical to ensuring IDEA implementation in states, eroding rights for children with disabilities and their parents.
View Full Interview
Take Action
Please share this call to action as widely as possible to send a strong message that IDEA must be upheld. More information and a social media toolkit are available here.
If you’d like to further support CEC’s advocacy work, you can donate to CEC's Advocacy Fund, which helps ensure we can continue championing students with exceptionalities and their families.
Thank you for being a part of the CEC Community. We will continue to monitor this issue and share information as it is available.
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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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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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2025-26 SLICE Dates
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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
Help MASE Recognize Outstanding Members
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Each year, MASE provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding members who are dedicated leaders and advocates for children and education communities across the state. We encourage you to consider nominating yourself or a colleague for recognition. Nominate someone who reflects the qualities of a leader committed to education and who is an exemplary representative of MASE. Please remember that anyone can nominate for MASE awards. Please feel free to share award nomination information with your staff and community. Information about each of the awards is linked below:
MASE Award candidates may be self-nominated or nominated by someone else. ;
Access the award nomination form here.
Nomination deadline is November 28, 2025.
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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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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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ONGOING
Resources to Prepare for Title II of the ADA
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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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