| Jump to each section of this newsletter by clicking the links below. |
|
|
|
|
From the Executive Director,
Erin Toninato:
|
|
|
Change Is in the Air
Happy Friday everyone! There is definitely a change of seasons in the air. The mornings are cooler, the days are getting shorter, and somehow September is already moving faster than I think it should.
It mirrors special education right now. There are so many moving parts—state and federal issues, funding, staffing, new guidance, changing requirements—and all of the everyday work that never stops.
In the middle of it all, I hope you remember that you don’t have to have every answer today. Stay connected, keep asking questions, and lean on one another. That is one of the things I have always appreciated about MASE. There is almost always someone willing to wrestle with a question alongside you.
So, as we head toward fall, enjoy the cooler air, take one thing at a time, and accept that the to-do list may just be a permanent member of the team. 😊
As always...thanks for all you do!
|
|
|
|
|
✨ 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PELSB-Approved Statewide Job Board
|
|
|
The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) has received notice that EdPost will retire effective December 1, 2026, and will no longer be available for posting employment opportunities after that date. Some EdPost users may have received communication indicating that districts should utilize Handshake for further employment postings.
While Handshake can be used to post positions, PELSB would like to remind districts that since July 1, 2024, Minnesota School Jobs, MNSchoolJobs.org (MSJ) is the exclusive PELSB-approved statewide job board provider. Districts that are offering a position to a teacher who will hold a Tier 1 license or an out-of-field permission (OFP) must post the position on MNSchoolJobs.org to meet the 15- or 60-day posting requirement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diane McCarron Is Retiring
|
|
|
MASE Past President Diane McCarron is retiring from her position at SpEd Forms. To celebrate Diane’s 47-year commitment to education, SpEd Forms is hosting a Come and Go Dessert Party for her on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 3:30-5:30 p.m., at O’Madden’s Pub at Madden’s on Gull Lake. If you download the flyer, you can click to leave Diane an electronic message.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
America’s Support System for Disabled Pupils Is Broken
|
|
|
Excerpted from an article in The Economist, Sept. 3, 2026
Few policy reform commissions draw up a list of recommendations only to implore lawmakers to ignore them. Yet that is where Minnesota’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education finds itself. Facing a multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall, state lawmakers asked the commission to identify nearly $250 million in savings on special education. In August the commission released provisional recommendations and unanimously urged the legislature not to enact any of them.
It reflects a national dilemma: educating disabled children is a popular policy, but the sums required under current laws are eye-watering. Across the country, school districts are pulling money from general-education funds to pay for pupils with special needs.
|
|
|
|
|
MDE Special Education Updates, September 14 | Read more
MDE Special Education Updates, September 18 | Read more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What Is AI’s Role in the Special Education Dispute Resolution Process?
|
|
|
From K-12 Dive
In July, the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education — a technical assistance center funded by the U.S. Department of Education — published a parents’ guide for using AI in special education advocacy. The group developed the guide, which is available in multiple languages, after conversations with people at parent centers and state dispute resolution agencies, according to Melanie Reese, CADRE’s director. Representatives of both talked about how much AI was impacting their caseloads, Reese said in an email to K-12 Dive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming OLA Special Education Director Survey
|
|
|
The Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA)—an independent, nonpartisan audit and evaluation office within the legislative branch of Minnesota state government—is currently conducting an evaluation, Autism Spectrum Disorder Services in Public Schools: Student Identification and Coordination with EIDBI Services.
On September 14, Special Education Directors across the state received an email from OLA (via Snap Surveys) asking for your participation in a survey pertaining to this evaluation. This survey, in addition to an upcoming survey of school staff, will be critical in helping OLA understand the state’s work in this area. We encourage you to complete OLA’s survey and ask that you encourage any of your staff who receive a survey from OLA to do the same.
If you have any questions about the evaluation, please contact the evaluation manager, Caitlin Badger, at Caitlin.Badger@state.mn.us or 651-297-1917.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minnesota Setting IV Program Leaders’ Meetings
|
|
|
October 8, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m.
Minnesota Setting IV program leaders are invited to participate in a series of virtual meetings designed to bring leaders from federal Setting IV programs together to connect, ask questions, discuss topics of shared interest, and exchange resources, ideas, and strategies.
These meetings provide an opportunity to learn from colleagues across the state, share experiences, and collaborate around the unique opportunities and challenges of leading Setting IV programs.
2026–27 Meeting Dates:
-
October 8, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m.
-
December 10, 2026 | 8:30–10 a.m.
-
February 11, 2027 | 8:30–10 a.m.
-
April 8, 2027 | 8:30–10 a.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MDE School Mental Health Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Order Your MASE Gear Now for Fall Events!
|
|
|
MASE offers a variety of T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, and other merchandise. Show your MASE spirit at our Fall Leadership Conference and other events! Merchandise will be shipped directly to you. Here are just a few of the options available with cooler weather in mind:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MDE Special Education Funding Training Webinars
|
|
|
Registration is open for seven webinars running until October 21. Presentation material and information on joining the webinar will be sent to registered participants the day before each training.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 1 Federal Child Count
The special education child count data reporting process through the Minnesota Automated Reporting Student System (MARSS) will begin in September. There are five MARSS submissions reporting deadlines: September 17, 2026, October 15, 2026, November 12, 2026, December 10, 2026, and January 7, 2027. After the final deadline in January, there is no appeal process for fall data. Please make federal special education child count a priority. We strongly encourage districts to report students receiving special education services by the initial reporting deadline to assure that all students who are eligible for and receiving special education services get counted. Child count reporting is final with fall data and not updated with year-end data.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comment on Proposed Cuts to Head Start
The following information was shared by a MASE member, who received it from a Head Start Mental Health consultant.
The federal government is proposing to gut Head Start by taking away many of the essential performance standards. These performance standards are what make Head Start a quality early childhood program that encompasses so many aspects of helping low-income children grow, learn, and be ready for kindergarten. It sets them up for a future of educational success by breaking the cycles of poverty at its root cause.
Our current government is proposing these changes under the guise of “reducing barriers” by deregulating the program and making it more focused on each State’s determination and rules. Anyone who knows anything about Head Start knows this is a total disaster and just a way to slowly eliminate the program all together.
Some of the proposed changes entail:
-
Removal of requirements for staff credentials and training
-
Removal of parent committee involvement
-
Removal of early childhood screenings and assessments
-
Removal of health status care and dental care
-
Removal of requirements focused on collaboration and communication with parents and caregivers
-
Removal of early childhood mental health consultant and mental health support
-
Removal of staff breaks
-
Removal of student-to-teacher ratios
-
Removal of CLASS (classroom assessment scoring system to make sure our teachers are high quality)
-
Mandating English-only instruction
If any of these stand out to you as an issue you care about, please comment on the government proposal before the deadline of Oct. 6. Comments matter; they have to read and respond to all before any changes can go into effect. The more we can reiterate the vital work of Head Start, the better chances we have to save the best aspects of the program.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASE Updates from Melissa Schaller
Abraham Thinking
Abe Saffer, Director of Governmental Relations for CASE, hosted the first Abraham Thinking on September 8. 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. This is scheduled on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-5pm CST. Register on the CASE website.
This month, Abe shared three themes in Washington, D.C.: uncertainty, systematic constraints, and polarization. Some details include the physical movement of Education Department staff to other agency buildings. This is occurring even though no details are being released about the plans to implement IAAs. There has been some congressional action on IAAs, one in the House to codify IAAs, but not the moves of OSERS and OCR, and another in both the House and Senate to stop the IAAs affecting the Education Department. While it is not believed these will pass, the authors are appropriators—so we could see action with budget bills.
In news on federal education funding, I'm including a few screen grabs (see our blog post) that summarize what’s happening. While 17% is the closest to full (40%) funding we've ever reached, with the exception of one year during the recession, currently we sit at about 10.9%.
Look for potential new rules from OMB and changes to EDGAR regarding federal grants. If you are interested in federal grants available, the place to look will be grants.gov.
|
|
|
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.
Renew Your Membership
With MASE membership renewals in progress through Sept. 30, we strongly encourage you to keep or add a CEC/CASE Professional Basic Membership as part of your renewal! If the CEC/CASE membership is not included in your invoice, please contact Laurie Pumper at the MASE office to get your record updated; it’s a quick process. Less than half of our Active Members currently have opted in (or out) for CEC/CASE membership—let’s get our numbers up!
CASE Conference
Registration for the CASE Conference is open. The conference takes place November 11-13 in Providence, Rhode Island. It would be awesome to have a Minnesota contingent attend. Consider adding this to your calendar. Check out details on the CASE website. If you are attending, there will be a state unit night—so don't forget to bring your MASE gear. If you are interested in CASE gear, check out their sale.
|
|
|
|
|
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. This event is open to members and non-members at no cost.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Room Reservations Are Going Fast!
If you are willing to share a house or cottage with some of your co-workers or other MASE friends, call Madden’s at 1-800-642-5363. If you already have a single room but are willing to switch to one of the houses with a private bath with every sleeping room and a shared full kitchen, it could help create some space for attendees who still need a reservation.
Be sure to check out our breakout session schedule. Nearly 270 people are already registered for this year’s conference. We are tracking even with last year’s record attendance—don’t miss out!
|
|
|
|
|
Sponsorship Opportunities for Fall Leadership Conference
Our sponsors and exhibitors make a significant contribution to the quality of the event—with your help, we are able to enhance our professional development opportunities. At this year’s conference, we expect over 300 special education leaders from school districts and charter schools throughout Minnesota.
All our exhibit booths are sold! You can still boost your visibility at the conference with a sponsorship. We’ve already sold several of our top tier sponsorships, but here are some opportunities that are available right now:
-
Mobile App Sponsor: Logo and link on MASE Fall Leadership Conference website and recognition on conference signage; includes 2 attendee registrations for the conference
-
Headshot Station Sponsor: Logo and link on MASE Fall Leadership Conference website and recognition on conference signage; includes 1 attendee registration for the conference
-
Lunch Sponsor: Logo and link on MASE Fall Leadership Conference website and recognition on conference signage; includes 1 attendee registration for the conference
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
🎉 MNSELF Funding Is Available — Apply Today!
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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. Thanks to those who have already responded!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Help Grow Your Special Education Team
|
|
|
|
Do you have paraprofessionals, Tier 1 or Tier 2 teachers, or other staff members who have talked about going back to school or earning additional licensure? Please consider sharing this opportunity directly with them!
This program may be a great next step for staff who are ready to continue their education, work toward teacher licensure, or add an additional area of licensure. As special education leaders, your encouragement can make a meaningful difference in helping staff see themselves taking that next step.
Please forward this information to individuals on your team who may be interested and encourage them to learn more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced Placement Program Exam Reimbursement 2026-27
|
|
|
|
The Advanced Placement program provides opportunities for rigorous, challenging learning as part of the regular course offerings for public and non-public students in secondary schools. The Minnesota Legislature has appropriated funding to provide financial incentives to schools for student exam subsidies and teacher training for the Advanced Placement program. Visit the MDE Calendar to register for the Advanced Placement State Reimbursement Overview session.
View the Advanced Placement Student Exam Fee Policy and Payment Procedures webpage for more information.
Please contact mde.postsecondary@state.mn.us for assistance with any questions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Explore Tax Savings and Resources for Minnesota Families
|
|
|
|
Minnesota families may be eligible for state tax credits and tax relief programs. The Minnesota Department of Revenue has promotional materials you can share with families to help them take advantage of the Child Tax Credit, K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit, or free tax preparation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Student Attendance, Behavior, and Intervention Conference
October 19-20 | Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, the Depot
|
|
|
|
This 2-day conference will equip district and school leaders with practical low-burden, high-impact strategies to improve student attendance, reduce problem behaviors, and deliver effective interventions with greater confidence to produce desired results.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026 MASA Fall Conference: Register Now!
|
|
|
|
Registration is open for the 2026 MASA Fall Conference in Brainerd!
Minnesota's school leaders are doing some of the most important—and most complex—work in our state. This fall, MASA gathers educational leaders from across Minnesota to learn, connect, and lead forward together.
Look for practical sessions that move beyond awareness to real implementation guidance. Hear from peers who've navigated similar challenges. Walk away with tools, strategies, and ideas you can use on Wednesday morning after our conference.
September 27-29 | Madden’s on Gull Lake, Brainerd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Kraus-Anderson
