The next Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Directors' Forum has been scheduled for Friday, June 5, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (hybrid webinar) and 12:30-3:30 p.m. (in person breakout sessions).
Please complete the registration form to let us know if you plan to join in person or virtually. Morning Webinar Agenda (hybrid webinar):
- Division of Special Education Updates
- Greeting and Updates from Commissioner Willie Jett
- Minnesota Administrators for Special Education (MASE) Update
- Agency and Legislative Updates
- Special Education Funding Update
- Early Childhood Special Education Update
- Summary of Special Education Workforce and Licensure Updates
- Graduation for a Select Group of Students with IEPs
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (in-person only):
Assessment Café: Rethinking assessments for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) eligibility and program planning
- This session provides participants with the opportunity to explore achievement measures that could replace large batteries and IQ tests with more diagnostically precise measures. Come explore the technical manuals, protocols, and related materials, and determine for yourself which tools will give your team greater precision in program planning and eligibility determination.
Integrated Supports for Resilient Youth (ISRY) in the context of students experiencing Homelessness/Foster Care/Neglected or Delinquent placements and Migratory students
- This session will focus on the basics of services for youth and children experiencing Homelessness, placed in Foster Care or Neglected and Delinquent facilities, and Migratory students. Program specialists from MDE will present information about identification, requirements, and services to support this student population.
Drop-in Session hosted by the Program Monitoring Unit
- The purpose of this session is to assist individuals with our new SharePoint site. Program Monitors will be on hand to provide guidance on navigating the site, gaining access, and locating different resources. We will also be on hand to help individuals figure out what activities they still have to complete and how to complete them.
Updated District Determination Process
- The Program Monitoring Unit will review updates and answer questions regarding the District Determination Process that will occur in June or July.
Minnesota’s Statewide Children’s Mental Health Plan and System of Care Initiative
- MDE is working with other state agencies to develop and implement a statewide plan for children's mental health services and supports that uses the "system of care" model. As part of this effort, MDE is seeking input from special education directors to help design a system of care that optimizes partnerships between school districts, counties, and other mental health providers in local communities. The system of care approach will be reviewed, including its connection to PBIS and comprehensive school mental health systems, and directors will have the opportunity to provide input for the plan.
Minnesota Kindergarten Fall Assessment (MnKFA) Overview and the upcoming MnKFA Pilot
- Join the Division of Early Education for (1) an overview of the Minnesota Kindergarten Fall Assessment (MnKFA) Overview and the upcoming MnKFA Pilot this fall and (2) opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback.
READ Act Considerations for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Students
- The Minnesota READ Act required the Minnesota Department of Education to convene a Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Working Group to develop recommendations for literacy instruction, screening, and curriculum for students who cannot fully access sound-based approaches such as phonics. This session will provide special education leaders with an overview of the group’s recommendations, including alternative pathways to reading development, expanded definitions, and considerations for screening, curriculum, and professional development. Presenters will also highlight emerging tools and resources, including curriculum rubrics, decision-making flowcharts, training supports, and body-of-evidence approaches for screening, to support equitable implementation of Structured Literacy for all learners.
Children with Combined Hearing and Vision Loss
- Participants will learn how to incorporate guidance that supports identification of children with combined hearing and vision loss, ensure access to appropriate services and connect with technical assistance through the Minnesota DeafBlind Project, Minnesota’s State and Regional Low Incidence Projects, and MDE specialists. More details to come, along with prepared questions and answers.
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