August 1, 2025, Special Education Updates

Minnesota Department of Education sent this bulletin at 08/01/2025 10:00 AM CDT
Minnesota Department of Education

Special Education Updates

August 1, 2025

Special Education Directors' Forum Registration

We are 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.

Date: 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. We will cover key updates and presentations relevant to all directors.

Afternoon Breakout Sessions (In-Person Only): 12:30-3:30 p.m. Following the morning session, we will offer a variety of in-person breakout sessions designed for deeper engagement and specialized learning:

12:30-1:15 p.m.

1:30-2:15 p.m.

2:30-3:15 p.m.

  • Program Monitoring: New Directors

  • Program Monitoring: Top Areas of Non-Compliance

  • Dispute Resolution

  • School Finance

  • Program Monitoring: Top Areas of Non-Compliance

  • Dispute Resolution

  • School Finance: Special Education Funding

  • COMPASS

  • Program Monitoring: Top Areas of Non-Compliance

  • Dispute Resolution

  • School Finance: Special Education Funding

  • COMPASS

Registration is required to confirm your attendance and preferred format. Please complete the registration form to let us know how you plan to attend.

Important Notes:

  • Virtual Attendees: You will receive the Zoom link upon registration. Please note you may be unable to log in until a few minutes before the start time.

  • In-Person Attendees: Parking information will be sent to you after registration.

  • Accessibility: Live transcription will be available via Zoom (Closed Caption button). If you need American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, please contact the Division of Special Education (mde.special-ed@state.mn.us) by Tuesday, August 5.

  • Recording: The morning session of the Forum will be recorded, and a captioned version will be available for later viewing.

  • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available.

If you need to change your attendance selection before August 15, please contact the Division of Special Education (mde.special-ed@state.mn.us).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Reminder: Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) School Districts and Individualized Education Program (IEP) Providers

The MHCP Provider Manual Individualized Education Program Services – Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology has been updated on the MHCP Provider website. Information was added to reflect that effective July 1, 2025, a speech language pathology assistant (SLPA) who meets the requirements under Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 148.511-148.5198 and is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is eligible to provide services under the direction of a qualified Minnesota Health Care Programs enrolled speech language pathologist (SLP.) The changes include the following:

  • Under Covered Services, we added two new sections – Supervising SLP Role and Responsibilities and Covered SLPA Services When Delegated by a Supervising SLP.
  • Under Noncovered Services, we added information about what services are not covered when provided by an SLPA.
  • Updated language for clarity.

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.