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September 24, 2025
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, October 10, 2025
Registration is required to confirm your attendance and preferred format. Please complete the registration form to let us know how you plan to attend and to register for the afternoon breakout sessions.
Morning Forum Webinar (Hybrid)
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.
- Division of Special Education Updates
- Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) Update
- Agency and Legislative Updates
- Special Education Funding Update
- Early Childhood Special Education Update
- Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) Update Overview
- School-Linked Behavioral Health (SLBH) Program Overview
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (In-Person Only)
12:30-3:30 p.m.
Following the morning session and a break for lunch (on your own), we will offer a variety of in-person breakout sessions designed for deeper engagement and specialized learning.
New Director Session – Due Process Requirements
- Session Description: This session is a valuable opportunity for those stepping into the role of special education director for the first time. We will equip you with essential strategies to effectively meet the due process requirements for program monitoring. Additionally, we will provide important resources from our website that will support the work reported in the Stepwell MN system. Join us to empower yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary for success in your new role!
SPEDventures: Training for Special Education (Support Practice Engage Develop)
- Session Description: Come along on a journey to explore program monitoring’s extensive and ever-expanding library of trainings and resources, discover ways to use multiple resources to create training packages, and practice navigating the web page to find and assemble options perfect for your next quick meeting or staff development day! Please bring your laptop or phone to access our training web page.
- Session Audience: Special education directors, assistant directors, coordinators, and lead teachers.
Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA): Updated Guidance and Resources
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Session Description: The U.S. Department of Education guidance released in November 2024, Using Functional Behavioral Assessments to Create Supportive Learning Environments, emphasizes that Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) should be used for all students whose behavior may interfere with learning, not just students with disabilities. MDE's cross-division team understands the need for additional supports to guide this transition, helping all school staff view behavior functionally. In this breakout session, we will cover:
- The key concepts behind the new guidance.
- A new webpage containing supports and resources.
- A deep dive into using the Competing Behavior Pathways document.
Intentional Alignment of PBIS and SLBH to Improve Student Outcomes
- Session Description: In this session, you will learn more about the intentional alignment of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) and School-Linked Behavioral Health (SLBH) programs at both the state and school level, including how an exemplar PBIS school and SLBH agency work together to provide evidence-based practices to students.
Interagency Coordination of Special Education and Other State and Local Agency Services
- Session Description: This session focuses on the Interagency Services for Children with Disabilities Act, offering a unique chance to provide input on how families experience the coordination of special education and other state programs. We'll collaboratively identify strengths and challenges in this process, with the goal of generating actionable recommendations to improve service alignment. Join us to help ensure that all state programs for children, youth, and young adults with disabilities are experienced by families as a cohesive and supportive network.
Important Notes
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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.
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In-Person Attendees: Parking information will be sent to you after registration.
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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).
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Recording: The morning session of the Forum will be recorded, and a captioned version will be available for later viewing.
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CEUs: Four Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available.
If you need to change your attendance selection before October 10, please contact the Division of Special Education (mde.special-ed@state.mn.us).
We look forward to seeing you there!
What: This fall, 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, 2025, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Metro: Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), NE 400 Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis, MN. Register for the October 2 session.
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Thursday, October 9, 2025, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Bemidji: Bemidji Electric Cooperative Community Room, 4111 Technology Dr. NW, Bemidji, MN. Register for the October 9 morning session. Register for the October 9 afternoon session.
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Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 9 a.m.–noon, via Zoom. Register for the October 14 session.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 9 a.m.–noon or 1–4 p.m., Mankato: South Central Service Cooperative Conference Center, Pine Room, 2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN. Register for the October 21 session.
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Thursday, October 23, 2025, 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 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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