September 10, 2024, Special Education Updates

Minnesota Department of Education

Special Education Updates

September 10, 2024

Autism Navigator Webinar September 12

On September 12, 2024, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Dr. Amy Wetherby will present an overview of the Autism Navigator and companion Baby Navigator courses and resources and how they can be used in educational, clinical and home settings for early detection of communication delays and autism. Autism Navigator self-paced online courses offer interactive slides with an unparalleled library of video clips. Dr. Wetherby will describe how an implementation science framework has been used to roll out Autism Navigator in Minnesota and discuss future directions and opportunities to participate.

MDE’s divisions of special education and early education, along with the Department of Children, Families and Youth's (DCYF’s) division of early learning, are providing this opportunity for leaders, practitioners, educators and families to learn about the Autism Navigator and to gain interest in future participation to implement the Autism Navigator. These efforts are being led by Erin Farrell, Autism Spectrum Disorders specialist, and Rachael Raske, Early Childhood Special Education Professional Development specialist.

Register for the Autism Navigator Webinar on ZoomGov.

2024 Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services (ADSIS) Fall Orientation

The Thursday, September 19, 2024, ADSIS Fall Orientation will be held in a virtual format from 9 a.m. to noon. Intended for all ADSIS practitioners, the information will be especially relevant for staff who oversee districtwide implementation of ADSIS services. Presenters Aaron Barnes, Sarah Sirna and Dan Torrez will cover topics including ADSIS overview, evaluation, reporting requirements, budgets, frequently asked questions and updates.

Register for the 2024 ADSIS Fall Orientation on ZoomGov. Contact Tamarah Jackelen, 651-582-8204, for more information or with questions.

Co-Teaching and Collaboration

For 2024-25, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is beginning a series on co-teaching and collaboration for administrators, teacher leaders and teachers beginning to implement co-teaching or refreshing their understanding of co-teaching in their building, district or charter school. 

Co-teaching involves collaborating with another educator to deliver instruction to students. To effectively co-teach, you should have a solid understanding of various educational topics which will be included in this series. You will also have an opportunity to learn from expert co-teachers in the field and connect with colleagues to share questions, concerns, and promising practices for co-teaching.

You can earn six administrator or teacher CEUs for attending the Co-Teaching and Collaboration series. Register online for the Zoom network seriesFor more information, contact Dr. Amy Young, Holly Andersen or Billy Brooks.

Topics

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, 3-4:30 p.m., Co-teaching Models and Collaboration Skills: Effective, research-based models that increase student learning and decrease fragmentation. Communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills to work collaboratively with co-teachers, other staff members, and parents. Specific requirements related to special education laws, accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities, as well as English learner requirements and the needs of students from different cultural backgrounds.

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, 3-4:30 p.m., Co-teaching Planning and Pedagogy: Planning strategies, teaching methods, and approaches to effectively deliver instruction through co-teaching. Assessment methods to measure student learning and progress and strategies for providing constructive feedback in a co-teaching model.

Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, 3-4:30 p.m., Increasing Co-Teaching Over Time: Knowing how to better modify instruction to meet the diverse needs of students, including those with disabilities, English language learners, and gifted students for specific grade levels, content areas and curriculum requirements. Techniques for managing student behavior, promoting a positive learning environment and fostering student engagement.

Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 3-4:30 p.m., Sustain and Grow Your Co-Teaching Program: Engaging in ongoing professional learning and growth to stay updated on best practices and trends in co-teaching.

September 2024 E1MN Newsletter

The latest edition of the E1MN Newsletter features information on Minnesota's Youth in Transition Toolkit, collaboration and upcoming events about outcomes, paraprofessional training and the Association of People Supporting Employment First. View the September 2024 E1MN Newsletter on the GovDelivery website.

The Minnesota Department of Education's (MDE) Special Education Division works toward its vision that all children get necessary support for healthy development and lifelong learning; its mission is to provide leadership to ensure a high-quality education for Minnesota's children and youth with disabilities. To learn more, visit the Special Education section of the MDE website.