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From the Executive Director, Erin Toninato:
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 Making Connections Across Our Work
It's hard to believe it's already been a week since our MASE Fall Leadership Conference! Thank you to everyone who joined us. It was wonderful to reconnect, learn together, and have some fun along the way. Congratulations to all of our award recipients (see the photo below)! Recognizing the incredible work of our colleagues is always a highlight. Thank you to our staff, vendors, sponsors, presenters, and anyone else who helped make it such a successful event!
And how about MNSELF Bingo?! A little competition, plenty of laughter, and lots of fun! Thank you to MNSELF for adding to the fun and, more importantly, for all they do throughout the year to support MASE and our members. We are grateful!
Connections matter in so many parts of our work. Just prior to the conference, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from PACER. I appreciated the opportunity to listen and share perspectives, and I am especially glad that we agreed to keep these conversations going. We may not always see things through the same lens, but I believe keeping communication open is important. Hearing the perspectives of families and sharing the experiences of special education leaders helps us better understand one another as we all work toward what we believe is best for students receiving special education services.
I hope you've had a chance to catch up on everything that piled up while you were at the conference... or at least found the bottom of your inbox! More importantly, I hope the connections, learning, and laughter have stayed with you.
As always...thanks for all you do!
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Pictured above, left to right: MASE Distinguished Service Award recipient Deb Henton, Legacy Award recipient Eva Pohl, and Special Education Administrator of the Year Award recipient Tanya Tacker at the 2026 Fall Leadership Conference. Check out our full conference photo gallery!
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✨ MASE Glimmer ✨
A group of teachers in our Setting IV SUN Program have been collaborating to plan two-week themed units for students with emergent academic skills. Recently, the theme was "Birthdays," and culminated with each classroom planning, decorating, and participating in each step of a birthday party. It was so fun to see them baking cakes, hanging streamers, and wearing party hats. This week, I've overheard a number of students from these classrooms use their device to talk about "birthdays." It clearly stuck with them! Watching our teachers find ways to give these students an opportunity to participate in experiences that may otherwise be inaccessible to them fills me with so much gratitude.
– Shae Elliott, ISD 917
✨ 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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Thanks to Our Platinum Business Partners!
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Everway
Goalbook
Indigo Education
Infinitec
Kennedy & Graven
Kraus-Anderson
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Next Level Speech Therapy
Sourcewell
SpEd Forms
Strategic Behavioral Solutions
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Work Life Ready
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DHS Seeks Proposals for School-Based Services Implementation, Enhancement, and Expansion of Medicaid & CHIP Mental Health Services
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MASA’s LGBTQ+ Leadership Group Welcomes You!
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MASA has an LGBTQ+ Leadership Group facilitated by Dr. Teri Staloch, Superintendent of Robbinsdale Area Schools. The goal of the group is to provide a confidential, supportive space for LGBTQ+ school administrators to connect, share their unique experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions. The affinity group sessions will not be recorded.
The group welcomes MASA, MASE, and non-members who identify as LGBTQ+ to participate in these virtual sessions! Sessions are monthly from 1-2 p.m.
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Wednesday, November 25, 2026
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December (No Meeting)
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Wednesday, January 27, 2027
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Wednesday, February 24, 2027
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Wednesday, March 31, 2027
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Wednesday, April 28, 2027
If you would like to join, reach out to Dave Christians at dave.christians@mnasa.org.
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Special Education Disputes Continue to Rise
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From K-12 Dive, published Oct. 29: The number of special education state complaints has continued its year-over-year climb nationwide, jumping 7% between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years alone, according to an analysis released this month by the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE), a federally funded technical assistance center. Between 2014 and 2024, the tally skyrocketed by 1123%.
CADRE’s finding that written state complaints are increasing aligns with trends seen by the Council for Exceptional Children and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education through state surveys.
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December 1, 2026, Federal Child Count
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The special education child count data reporting process through the Minnesota Automated Reporting Student System (MARSS) has been completed for the October 15, 2026, reporting deadline. Students included in child count must be reported on MARSS with a Special Education Evaluation Status (SEES) of 4 or 6. Refer to the MARSS Reference Guide for definitions of the SEES. Report 13 has been posted to the website and can be accessed at the following location:
Data Center > Data Reports and Analytics > Minnesota Funding Reports (MFR)
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MDE Special Education Updates, October 30 | Read more
Mentoring and Induction Newsletter, October 26 | Read more
MDE Special Education Updates, October 23 | Read more
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State Fiscal Year 2027 Deductions for State Services for the Blind
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The SSB spreadsheet is now posted to the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) website. Select the following from each drop-down menu: Category: Special Education; Subcategory: State Services for the Blind; Year: 2027. Click List files, then the xlsx icon under Data Files. The spreadsheet shows districts that, on their Federal Special Education Application Cover Sheet for SFY 2027, authorized MDE to withhold funds for SSB. This agreement with SSB runs through June 30, 2027. The purpose of these funds is to provide braille textbooks/materials and audiotape materials to districts participating under this agreement for students requiring these materials as part of their education.
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Recommendations from the Compensatory Revenue Task Force
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Compensatory revenue provides funding to support students who are academically underprepared and at risk of not meeting academic standards. The 2025 Minnesota Legislature created a Compensatory Revenue Task Force to analyze the general education compensatory revenue formula, including the purpose of the program, the revenue levels of the program, the distribution formula for the revenue, the uses of compensatory revenue, and methods to evaluate the outcomes of compensatory revenue spending.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) convened this group of school and nonprofit leaders and legislators from September 2025 through October 2026. The Task Force has published its recommendations: Compensatory Revenue Task Force Final Report. MDE thanks the members of the Task Force for their efforts.
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Order Your MASE Gear Now!
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MASE offers a variety of T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, and other merchandise. Show your MASE spirit at our events! Merchandise will be shipped directly to you. Here are just a few of the options available with cooler weather in mind:
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Thanks to Our Gold Business Partner!
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Ratwick, Roszak & Maloney
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Invite Legislators to See Your Setting IV Program Before Session
Seclusion has drawn growing attention at the Capitol, including through a 2025 interim working group that MASE took part in. While the group's recommendations did not advance, this issue is likely to return in 2027—and depending on the outcome of the November election, advocates pushing for a ban could find new momentum. Most legislators have limited firsthand knowledge of how seclusion is used, why it exists as a safety tool, and what state law already requires of districts. The weeks between the election and the start of session (January 12) are the best time to change that.
If your district operates a Setting IV program and uses seclusion, we encourage you to invite your senators and representatives for a short visit this fall or early winter. A 30-to-45-minute tour and conversation with staff who work directly with students can show legislators how seclusion is used as a last resort to keep students and staff safe, not as discipline.
MASE has developed an advocacy toolkit with a sample invitation, tips for planning a successful visit, and guidance on what to bring. Please log your visit in the MASE contact log, included in the toolkit, so we can track your outreach heading into session. We also developed a handout to give to your legislators.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to MASE lobbyist Valerie Dosland at valeried@ewald.com if you have questions or would like support as your plan for your visits.
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CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
The CASE Collective: Election Results
From CASE: Join Abe Saffer, Director of Government Relations for CASE, on Thursday, November 5, at 4 p.m. Central for a CASE Collective unpacking the midterm election’s early results—and what they could mean for education! Educators, families, advocates, and anyone invested in education’s future are welcome as we explore where control of the House and Senate stands, who could emerge in key leadership roles, and which unresolved races and big questions will shape what comes next. Register on the CASE website.
Abraham Thinking
Abe Saffer, Director of Governmental Relations for CASE, continues to host Abraham Thinking on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm CST. The purpose of these sessions is to keep you up-to-date on policy and politics in Washington, D.C., and around the country, provide an opportunity to ask policy and legislative questions you may have, and to share what is happening with CASE. Register on the CASE website.
What can you do?
Check out the new CASE Legislative Action Center at casecec.org/action-center. You must be logged in.
Contact your legislators!
Share your stories! The CASE office is collecting membership testimonials. Please fill out the form and forward it to three of your CASE friends, asking them to do the same.
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Join CAREI District Assembly 2026-27 for Session 1 on November 5
This opening session from the Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement (CAREI) features a deep dive into the canons of literacy and mathematics. Participants will hear directly from featured presenters Linda Diamond, Paige Pullen, Ben Solomon, and Nicole McKevett. Register your team today to participate live on November 5—or sign up anytime to gain access to all session recordings, year-round implementation tools, and ongoing support.
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Help Shape the Future of EIDBI Services in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Disability Services Division, is recruiting new members for both the EIDBI Learning Collaborative and the EIDBI Advisory Group.
EIDBI providers and stakeholders who are passionate about improving services and outcomes for children and families are encouraged to apply!
EIDBI Learning Collaborative
A small, focused group of provider representatives, autism researchers and educators who meet monthly to share insights, review emerging research and stay informed about EIDBI service updates. One-year and two-year terms are available, beginning in 2026.
Application deadline: Nov. 1, 2026
Email ASD.DHS@state.mn.us to request an application.
Learn more
EIDBI Advisory Group
Interested in contributing to the ongoing improvement of EIDBI services? Review the announcement for information about Advisory Group membership, application requirements and how to apply.
Learn more
Your experience and perspective matter! Consider applying or sharing this opportunity with others who want to help strengthen EIDBI services across Minnesota.
#MinnesotaEIDBI #AutismServices #EarlyIntervention #StakeholderEngagement
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MASE Member Survey
The MASE Membership Committee encourages you to let us know about your experience as a member of our association. What do you find valuable about MASE? How could we improve? The survey can take as little as 2 minutes and up to 10 minutes. Your feedback will help our committee to provide the best possible benefits for all our members. Please respond by November 13!
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SLICE of Collaboration: Everything You Wanted to Know about Criteria but Were Afraid to Ask
November 3 | Noon-1 p.m.
Presenter: Heidi Halker from Itasca Area Schools Cooperative (Area B)
Understanding where Minnesota’s special education criteria come from can make the MDE checklists feel a whole lot less mysterious! This presentation takes a look at the “why” behind the criteria by connecting the MDE checklists back to Minnesota Statutes and Minnesota Administrative Rules. Once you have a better sense of that foundation, the checklists can become easier to read, interpret, and use thoughtfully. Most importantly, understanding the origins of the criteria helps teams move beyond simply checking boxes and toward making informed eligibility decisions together—using the evaluation information, the requirements, and the professional judgment of the entire team.
Thanks to our Sponsor for this session, Next Level Speech Therapy
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MASE Day at the Capitol
February 24, 2027 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Special education administrators and leaders from across Minnesota are invited to attend MASE’s 2027 Day at the Capitol in St. Paul. With legislators making important budget and policy decisions in 2027, it is especially important for special education leaders to have a strong presence at the Capitol. This is an opportunity to educate and connect directly with state legislators about the funding, policies, and legislative proposals that affect special education programs, staffing, services, and the students and families that MASE members serve.
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MASE Annual Meeting
Friday, November 20 | Noon-1 p.m. | Webinar
Learn what MASE has been working on in the past year—and what our priorities are for the year ahead in this one-hour webinar. We also expect to vote on a minor change in the MASE Bylaws; additional information will be provided soon. This event is open to members and non-members at no cost.
We will vote on a proposed bylaws change as part of this event.
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🎉 MNSELF Funding Is Available — Apply Today!
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Did you know that funds raised at MNSELF events go directly back to YOU? MNSELF is now accepting proposals through our Professional Development Funding RFP—and we want to see your boldest ideas. Think beyond the typical district PD cycle: use funding for AI training to strengthen IEP quality, a book study on A Principal's Guide to Special Education, executive coaching, data literacy intensives, or legal fluency workshops. If it builds your leadership skills, we want to support it. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and reimbursement is issued after your final report is approved. Visit the MNSELF Website to access the RFP and submit your proposal—your next breakthrough in leadership development could be one application away!
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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. Thanks to those who have already responded!
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MASE Award Nominations Are Open Now!
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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—but the nominees must be current MASE members (except for the Distinguished Service Award). 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.
Nomination Deadline is December 31, 2026.
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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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