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Special Education Directors' Forum Registration - October 10, 2025

Registration

The next Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Directors' Forum has been scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, 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. Please note that the morning webinar session will be hybrid (in person and virtual), and the afternoon breakout sessions will be in person only.

Morning Webinar Agenda:
  • 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) Overview
  • School-Linked Behavioral Health (SLBH) Program Overview
Afternoon Breakout Sessions:

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
  • 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. The Minnesota Department of Education’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.
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3. How do you plan to attend the Special Education Directors' Forum on Friday, October 10? *This question is required.
Our partners at Paradigm Veritext will provide a live transcription of the Forum (morning webinar only) through the Zoom application. During the Forum, access the captions with the Closed Caption button at the bottom right of the Zoom meeting screen.

If you wish to access the ASL interpretation or would like to request other accommodations, please contact us at mde.special-ed@state.mn.us by Friday, September 26. 
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