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September 5, 2025
What: This fall, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will host regional in-person and online Reading Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (Alt MCA) Kickoff Meetings. There is no cost for these sessions. Educators will be given continuing education units. The kickoff meetings will focus on:
- Preparation and administration for the new 2026 Reading Alt MCA operational assessment.
- Tools for making decisions about student administration modes (online, paper, or hybrid).
- How to use the Alt MCA Student Readiness Tools (online and paper).
- The Learner Characteristics Inventory
- How to implement the Eligibility Requirements and Decision-Making Tool for Minnesota Alternate Assessments.
- The extended benchmarks aligned to the Alt MCA
In addition, in-person sessions will include interactive activities to engage with the Alt MCA Materials.
Who: MTAS/Alt MCA Test Administrators. District Assessment Coordinators, Special Education Directors/Coordinators, and any district staff involved in administering alternate assessments are also welcome to attend; however, the focus will be on the one-on-one administration activities.
When/Where: Registration is required.
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Thursday, October 2, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Metro: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), NE 400 Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis. Register for the October 2 session.
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Thursday, October 9, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Bemidji: Bemidji Electric Cooperative Community Room, 4111 Technology Dr. NW, Bemidji. Register for the October 9 morning session. Register for the October 9 afternoon session.
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Tuesday, October 14, 9 a.m.–noon, via Zoom. Register for the October 14 session.
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Tuesday, October 21, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Mankato: South Central Service Cooperative Conference Center, Pine Room, 2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato. Register for the October 21 session.
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Thursday, October 23, 3–5:30 p.m., via Zoom. Register for the October 23 session.
Zoom recordings will be available at a later date.
Meet with Alternate Assessment Specialists to give feedback, ask questions, and connect with other educators
What: MTAS/Alternate Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) test administrators and Special Education staff are invited to meet with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Alternate Assessment Specialists to give feedback, ask questions and connect with other Special Education staff from across the state.
Why: In October, see an example of the new Science Alt MCA Individual Student Reports, learn about the information included on the report, and discuss Science Alt MCA 2025 Administration feedback.
When: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 from 4 to 5 p.m.
Series will continue monthly, meeting on the second Wednesday (new meeting day) of each month. The Alternate Assessment Chat and Connect dates for this year are October 8, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13 at 4 p.m.
Register via Zoom for the Alt Assessment Chat and Connect. Register once for the entire series of monthly meetings.
Contact: Alt.Assessment.MDE@state.mn.us
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is continuing a webinar series into the 2025-26 school year to help support educators in the implementation of proactive and positive evidence-based strategies and resources. This series will highlight local examples of work being done to align systems of support across the needs of diverse learners and to provide information on specific disabilities, including voices of individuals and families within the community alongside educators and community organizations. We are excited to announce our next webinar in the series.
Description
Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. with Dr. Amy Wetherby
Register for the Autism Navigator Webinar on Zoom
In this webinar, Dr. Amy Wetherby will present an overview of the Autism Navigator courses and resources and explain how they can be used in educational, clinical, and home settings. She will also explain how the Baby Navigator companion is used to support what it takes to learn to talk and to conduct the early detection of communication delays and autism. Autism Navigator self-paced online courses offer interactive slides with an unparalleled library of video clips. The course collection covers topics from the early detection of toddlers with autism at 18–24 months to evidence-based intervention strategies and supports for social communication, active engagement, and addressing challenging behaviors. The courses showcase how early intervention providers coach families to support their child within everyday activities at home, and how educators working in PreK through second grade classrooms can infuse evidence-based strategies into their classroom activities. 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.
This webinar is offered for live participation only and will not be recorded. Materials will be sent after the webinar to the registered participants.
MDE’s divisions of special education and early education, along with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) 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 in the implementation of the Autism Navigator.
These efforts are being led by Erin Farrell, Ed.D., BCBA. LBA, Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialist (erin.farrell@state.mn.us), and Rachael Raske, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Professional Development Specialist (rachael.raske@state.mn.us).
Past Webinars to Review
In addition to the current webinar offerings, MDE has posted previous webinars that would be helpful for teams to review during the current school year. The insights and resources here are valuable for general educators and those serving students receiving special education services. All recordings are closed captioned and include links to accessible slide shows and other materials. Access webinar recordings from the MDE Special Education webpage.
Training presented by Minnesota Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Education (MDE).
Training Highlights:
- Key MDE and DHS policy updates impacting Individualized Education Program (IEP) Third Party Reimbursement
- IEP rates and reimbursement guidance
- Provider Resource Center tools and support materials
- Mental Health–Special Education (MH–SPED) policy overview
- Health-Related Services Checklist for accurate documentation
- Interactive question and answer with DHS and MDE experts
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Date
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Format
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Location
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Registration Link
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Tuesday, September 23, 2025
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In-Person
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Brainerd, MN
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Register for September 23
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Wednesday, September 24, 2025
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In-Person
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Duluth, MN
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Register for September 24
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Tuesday, October 21, 2025
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In-Person
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Rochester, MN
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Register for October 21
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Monday, October 27, 2025
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In-Person and Virtual
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Minneapolis, MN
at MDE
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Register for October 27
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Schedule:
- Check-in and continental breakfast: 8:15 a.m.
- Presentation: 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Registration: Please register no later than seven days in advance for your preferred location. Details on the agenda will be shared closer to the meeting date. For questions, email Sandra Mikulsky (sandra.mikulsky@state.mn.us).
Note: While this year’s sessions will be presented in Brainerd, Duluth, Rochester, and the Twin Cities, training locations will rotate annually. If your region isn’t included this time, don’t worry, we’ll be coming to your area soon. In addition, the MDE location offers virtual access statewide.
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