MASE in Your Mailbox - August 1, 2025
Purpose—MASE strives to:
- Offer information that is concise, consistent and predictable to support the work you do in your communities
- Streamline our communications and reduce the number of messages in your mailbox
You asked for an in-person Directors Forum—and MDE is delivering!
After years of hoping to bring the Forum back in person, MDE heard you loud and clear. Now's your chance to show up, connect with colleagues, and finally have those hallway conversations you've been missing.
With new breakout sessions on the agenda, the Forum is now a full day. There's plenty of space for discussion with MDE staff, idea-swapping, and maybe even a few aha moments.
Come for the collaboration—stay for the great company. Hope to see you there!
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KNOW: Items for Your Information
MDE Special Education Directors' Forum Registration
MDE is pleased to invite you to the next Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Directors' Forum, a full-day event filled with essential learning, updates, and community gathering, on Friday, August 15, 2025.
Morning Session: 9:30-11:30 a.m. This session will be held in a hybrid format, allowing you to participate either in-person or virtually via webinar.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (In-Person Only): 12:30-3:30 p.m. Following the morning session, MDE will offer a variety of in-person breakout sessions designed for deeper engagement and specialized learning.
Other News from MDE
MDE: Special Education Updates: August 1, 2025 | Read it here
MDE: Ed-Fi Updates: July 28, 2025 | Read it here
MDE: Load of Initial State Fiscal Year 2026 Allocations: July 29, 2025 | Read it here
Ongoing:
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MASE Membership Renewal Information! Membership renewal will be coming soon! If you are a joint MASE/MASA member, you should already have received your renewal information and we encourage you to renew as soon as possible.
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MASE Staff Summer Hours! Through August 29, many members of the MASE staff take some time off on Fridays starting at 1 pm. For immediate assistance during those times, contact Executive Director Erin Toninato at erin.toninato@mnase.org or by cell 507-822-0877.
Ideas and Suggestions for Restorative Practitioners
From MDE Restorative Practices, July 2025
July is Disability Pride Month. We honor the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 while uplifting disabled voices, culture, and resistance. Read the full bulletin
DO: Actions for You to Do
MASE Mentor Program
Part of your 2025-26 MASE membership registration will include a place where you can express interest in being part of MASE's mentor program. Don't miss out on this great opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Another mentee had the following to say about the experience:
My mentor and I met in person at MASE, texted, and emailed. We connected more in the fall due to needing support. I felt supported when I reached out to my mentor with questions and tricky situations. It was helpful to gain her perspective.
Sign up to be paired with another MASE member as a mentor or mentee in your upcoming membership registration.
Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education Now Accepting Applications
The education finance bill passed during the special session included the establishment of a Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education to identify $250 million in ways to cut costs, create efficiencies, and reduce administrative work related to special education by 2026.
Visit the Blue Ribbon Commission on Special Education for application details and deadlines.
Other News
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Help Shape the Future of MASE Leadership Development! Share your feedback here: https://forms.gle/Vp8ys314MnkEeZar5
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Join MSSWA for the 2025 MH-SpEd Training on August 11–12 at the Valley View Education Center in Eden Prairie, MN. Click here to register and learn more.
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CASE Special Education Leadership Institute - Cohort 2: Applications are open! For more information and to apply: https://www.casecec.org/special-education-leadership-institute
SHARE: Information to Share with Others
Ongoing:
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Job Posting: Curriculum & Instruction Manager | Intermediate District 287
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Job Posting: District Program Facilitator, Behavior Specialist – Special Education | Minneapolis Public Schools
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Job Posting: Director of Special Education | South Washington County Schools
Helpful Resources
CASE/CEC Open Resources:
- The Weatherly Review: Find Out More About the Supreme Court Ruling
- Special Education Leadership Institute - Cohort 2 Application is OPEN! Deadline August 1!
Helpful Links
MASE in Your Mailbox Archive
MASE Calendar
CASE Website
SLICE of Collaboration
Special Education Directors E-News Archive
Copyright (C) 2025 Minnesota Administrators for Special Education. All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
1601 Utica Ave. S., Suite 213 | Minneapolis, MN 55416
Phone: 651-299-0502