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September 18, 2025
Revised SLD Criteria Technical Assistance Sessions are designed to enhance the decision-making abilities of Special Education Teams as they evaluate and plan for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), in preparation for the revised SLD criteria.
Live sessions will be held from 12 to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, running from September through May. Each session will be recorded and available for on-demand viewing.
Topics will center on evidence-based practices, participant-driven questions, strategies for building buy-in, readiness, and capacity, as well as leadership development.
No registration is required to participate. CEUs are available.
Contact us: For inquiries about this year’s sessions or to recommend future technical assistance topics, please reach out to Vicki Weinberg (vicki.weinberg@state.mn.us) or Patty Popp (patty.c.popp@state.mn.us).
Thursday, September 18, 2025: Smash & Learn: Breaking Down Barriers
- Barriers to connecting screening to intervention and evaluation
- Clarifying roles, functions, and feedback loops
- Turning a barrier into an action statement
- Leadership tips
Wednesday, October 29, 2025: The Big D Briefing: Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) (note this session is not on the third Thursday due to scheduling conflicts)
- What “disorders” are parents requesting we evaluate for?
- Training staff to clearly communicate and reframe the concern for intervention and special education evaluation
- Most common parent concerns (guest speakers)
- Leadership tips
- Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (EBD)
- Other Health Disabilities (OHD)
- Speech or Language Impairments (SLI)
- Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)
- Developmental Cognitive Disabilities (DCD)
High Incidence Disabilities Office Hours provide dedicated time to share updates and resources related to high incidence and sometimes co-occurring disabilities (EBD, OHD, SLI, SLD, DCD). Each session may include highlights from current research, training opportunities, online and print resources, team-based problem solving, and strategies for strengthening specialized instruction in both behavior and academics. Sessions are interactive, with space for group discussion, questions, and concerns. Disability-specific questions may be directed to other MDE staff when needed.
Schedule and Access
Office Hours are held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the dates indicated below. Sessions are recorded and posted for later viewing so you can access them at your convenience. No registration is required. CEUs are available.
Dates for this year’s High Incidence Disabilities Office Hours:
We are excited to invite you to the next Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Directors' Forum!
Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
This full-day event will feature essential updates, valuable presentations, and opportunities for networking. The morning session will be held in a hybrid format, so you can join us either in person or virtually. The afternoon will feature a variety of in-person-only breakout sessions for deeper learning and interaction.
More information, including the agenda and a link to register, will be available soon. Please save the date and keep an eye out for a follow-up announcement!
Join Minnesota’s Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (MIHEC) for Transformation, a virtual statewide conference on Tuesday, September 23, 9 a.m.–3:15 p.m. Designed for students, families, educators, faculty, staff, and partners, this day of learning and connection explores how inclusive higher education is reshaping classrooms, campuses, and communities—especially as more colleges and universities open their doors to students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Centered on student voices, the conference will raise awareness, deepen understanding, and inspire next steps toward truly inclusive learning environments. Register for MIHEC for Transformation now to reserve your spot and be sure to view the conference agenda and presenter bios.
In addition, the Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Technical Assistance Center (MIHEC) is conducting a statewide Needs Assessment Survey to better understand the interests and needs of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) regarding inclusive postsecondary education opportunities. Please share this important survey with your networks through direct outreach to families, students, educators, newsletters, and social media.
Questions? Need more materials? Contact us at mihec@umn.edu.
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
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