|
March 27, 2026
The 2026 Part B Annual State Application includes statements of assurances for Minnesota's program for children with disabilities and proposed descriptions for the use of federal grant funds. The plan must be publicly available throughout the state for a minimum 30-day public comment period. View the Part B Annual State Application on the Federal Reporting section of the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) website. The 2026 Part B Annual State Application is available for comment March 20-April 19, 2026. If you wish to submit a public comment, please send it to Sonia Smith at .
The April 2026 Special Education Directors’ Forum will be prerecorded, with no live session available. The recording is scheduled to be available by mid-April, and will be posted to this listserv and on the Special Education Directors’ e-News Archive webpage.
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is seeking applications for membership on the Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) throughout the state. SEAP exists to provide policy and procedural guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in Minnesota. Our meeting agendas are designed to inform members about current special education activities in Minnesota and allow them the opportunity to:
- comment on rules or regulations proposed by the state
- assist with setting targets for state performance reporting
- discuss opportunities for growth within the state
- advise MDE in developing evaluations and reporting on data
- provide input for corrective action plans and implementing policies
The work and duties of this panel are to be completed by SEAP members. Members are appointed by the commissioner of education as the governor's designee and represent a wide variety of community members across the state, including parents, students, administrators, teachers, and related service professionals. Individuals who wish to participate on the panel and partner with others to achieve its goals and purposes are encouraged to apply via the Secretary of State’s website. MDE is currently seeking applications for the following positions:
- Parent Representatives: Parents of children with disabilities (ages birth through 26).
- School/Related Service Personnel: Representatives of public, private, and public charter schools.
- Student Representative: Individuals with disabilities currently enrolled in a public or private institute of higher education, high school transition, or vocational program.
Directors are encouraged to share this information with their local Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC). SEAP will meet as a group approximately five times a year, and members serve three-year terms. Prospective members should consider their ability to fulfill the time commitment necessary to attend all meetings. Deadline for submitting an application is May 31, 2026. Members will be appointed before August 1, 2026. If you have further questions, please contact Janet Christensen (janet.christensen@state.mn.us).
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) awarded a contract to Teaching Strategies, LLC to support the design and implementation of the new Minnesota Kindergarten Fall Assessment (MnKFA). In 2023, the Legislature directed MDE to administer a kindergarten assessment to provide policymakers with a statewide snapshot of what children know and can do at the start of kindergarten. The MnKFA is not an accountability measure or kindergarten readiness test, as kindergarten eligibility is based on age. MDE selected Teaching Strategies, LLC., based on priorities identified by Minnesota families, educators, early childhood experts, and kindergarteners. The MnKFA will encourage best practice around educating and assessing young learners. The MnKFA will use a 16-item subset from the Teaching Strategies GOLD® assessment to assess all kindergartners in Fall 2027 (MDE will conduct a pilot in Fall 2026). Data collected from the assessment will support classroom instruction, inform local decision-making, and contribute to a broader statewide understanding of early learning and the transition into kindergarten.
More information will be shared in the coming weeks. For questions, please contact mnkfa.mde@state.mn.us.
Join us for the Autism Resource Symposium and Fair, hosted by Minnesota state agencies, dedicated to supporting individuals with autism, their families, and professionals through education, connection, and empowerment. This year's event will place a special emphasis on Equity, Integrity, and Impact: Strengthening Autism Services Through Evidence and Accountability, highlighting the importance of ensuring every autistic person has access to effective, ethical, and equitable care.
-
Date: April 8, 2026
-
Location: Minnesota Department of Education, 400 NE Stinson Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55413
-
Time: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
What to Expect
-
Keynote Presentations and Panels – Hear from leading experts and community members on autism and accessing diagnosis, services, and supports.
- Workshops and Breakout Sessions
-
Resource Fair – Connect with organizations offering autism services, mental health supports, advocacy groups, and healthcare coverage.
-
Networking Opportunities – Meet parents, self-advocates, educators, and service providers to build a strong, informed, and supportive community.
Whether you are an autistic individual, a parent, a caregiver, or a professional, this symposium will provide valuable insights and tools to promote access to services and enhance quality of life.
Let’s work together to create a future where autism support prioritizes equity, integrity, and strengthening autism services through evidence and accountability. Stay tuned for more details!
Register for the Autism Resource Symposium and Fair on Alchemer. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join. Please contact Erin Farrell (Erin.Farrell@state.mn.us), Ed.D., BCBA, Autism Spectrum Disorders Specialist, with any questions.
The Departments of Education and Human Services invite you to the Medicaid in Education Spring Forum on April 27-28, 2026, at the Best Western Kelly Inn, St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Forum Objectives: Participants will be able to:
- Describe current Medicaid policy updates and reimbursement requirements impacting school-based health and mental health services.
- Identify and utilize state-provided resources, tools, and guidance to support implementation of Medicaid-funded services across school settings.
- Apply implementation strategies through peer collaboration and discussion to address common challenges and strengthen practices within their schools.
Location and Schedule:
Best Western Kelly Inn, 100 4th Avenue, St Cloud, MN 56301, Tuesday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Meet and Greet: Join us on Monday, April 27, from 5-7 p.m. for appetizers and pizza in the Meeting Center at the hotel.
- Forum Day: The main event will take place on Tuesday, April 28.
- Check-in at 8:15 a.m.
- Presentation from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. (virtual and in-person)
- Roundtable workshops from 1:15 to 3 p.m. (in-person)
Registration and Lodging
A block of rooms is available until March 27, 2026. To reserve a room, call the Best Western Kelly Inn at 320-253-0606 and mention the code MDE DHS SPRING FORUM, or book online to reserve a room.
Details on conference registration, the agenda, and additional announcements will be shared soon. For questions, email Sandra Mikulsky (sandra.mikulsky@state.mn.us).
MDE has updated our Federal Updates webpage with recent communications and resources for schools and families. We recently published a new resource, Learning Choices for Minnesota Families, for parents and caregivers. Other languages are available on the Federal Updates webpage. Please feel free to share this resource in your school communities.
|
