Special EducationLearning Support : Minnesota Department of Education

Special Education
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Current Topics

New Report on Vocational Services for Transition-Age Students

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) division, recently undertook a comprehensive look at the services they provide to Minnesota students with special needs who are leaving high school, their parents, teachers, other government agencies (including the Department of Education) and other interested groups. The report found most who use VRS services are satisfied and do get important help with their transitions to life after high school. It also found a need to improve communication between and among VRS and the people it serves and to ensure those who need VRS services have access to them in all areas of the state. Read the VRS report on Transition-Age Consumer Satisfaction on the DEED Website.

Special Education Primer for Charter Schools wins national award

The Special Education Primer for Charter Schools is a tool that provides charter school authorizers and charter school directors with quick access to information on the provision of special education and related services. The information is provided in an easy to read question and answer format which helps charter authorizers and directors understand their roles and responsibilities in the provision of special education and related services to children and youth with disabilities. View the Primer.

Update: The Legislative Research Librarian staff section of the National Conference of State Legislators recently announced it will honor the Special Education Primer for Charter Schools with its Notable Document Award in the category of Citizen's Guide for its excellence in exploring a topic of contemporary interest to legislators and staff. We hope Minnesotans working with special education programs in charter schools will find it equally valuable.

Congratulations! 2009-2010 Alternative Delivery of Specialized Instructional Services (ADSIS) Programs Approved!

Seventy-five Minnesota school districts and charter schools have been approved to receive funding to provide targeted prevention programming for the 2009-2010 school year. ADSIS is designed to assist students who need additional academic and behavioral support to succeed in the general education environment. It is anticipated that by providing these supports to struggling students, the likelihood of referrals to special education will be reduced. This innovative program helps to address student needs early on to facilitate student success. View the list of selected schools.

For more information, contact Cammy Lehr at 651-582-8563 or e-mail cammy.lehr@state.mn.us, or Cindy Shevlin-Woodcock at 651-582-8656 or e-mail cindy.shevlin-woodcock@state.mn.us.

Financial Support for Praxis II Exams

Minnesota special education teachers may be eligible for financial support to take a Praxis II exam to become highly qualified in a core subject. The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is providing a one-time opportunity during the 2009-2010 testing cycle for certain special education teachers who need to take a Praxis II content test in mathematics, language arts or science. MDE will pay the registration and test fees directly to the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for one (1) of the specified Minnesota-adopted Praxis II content tests for individuals approved by MDE to participate.  Read additional information.

Minnesota Annual Performance Report, Part B, 2007-2008

Each year the State of Minnesota is required by the Federal Office of Special Education Programs to submit an Annual Performance Report for students with disabilities ages 3-21. Topics covered include graduation, dropout, and suspension/expulsion rates; performance on statewide tests; and special education settings. Data is used by schools for program improvement. View full 07-08 report.

Paraprofessional Requirements for Title 1

Paraprofessionals working in Title 1 schools, (including paraprofessionals working in special education in those schools) are required to demonstrate that they meet the requirements established under No Child Left Behind. This can be accomplished with an 1) AA, AS, AAS (or higher) degree, 2) a minimum number of postsecondary academic credits, 3) a passing score on the ParaPro test, 4) demonstrating paraprofessional core competencies by local district validation of a portfolio, or 5) demonstration of skill using Para eLink. For complete information on these various options, view NCLB Information for Paraprofessionals.  To learn more about the ParaPro test, calendar and test sites, * visit the ETS ParaPro test information Website.

State Personnel Development Grant

In October 2005, the Special Education Policy Section of the Minnesota Department of Education received a $967,000 State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), renewable for up to five years, from the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of the grant is to link the best scientifically-based practices to states, school systems and families to improve results for infants, toddlers and children with disabilities. If you wish to learn more about SPDG and its activities please contact Nancy Larson at 651-582-8596. View Complete SPDG Grant.

Special Education Statutes and Rules

Access links to federal and state statues and rules on special education. MDE makes no representations about any services offered by sites it links to, nor is it responsible for the content of those sites. Please be aware that the laws set forth below may have been revised since this site was last updated.

 

*Links to third-party sites are provided as a courtesy to our site visitors. By selecting this link, you will be leaving the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Website. See our copyright notice at the bottom of the page for our full disclaimer regarding these links.