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State-Wide Special EducationServices

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Minnesota Charter Schools are independent school districts.

As independent school districts, they are required to follow all federal and state special education guidelines.

Presently there are 131 charter schools throughout the state of Minnesota.

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Historical Overview

The MN Charter Schools Special Education Project (MCSSEP) began through the collaborative efforts of early charter school leaders and the Commissioner of Education, as well as special education division leaders in the MN Department of Education (MDE). 

 

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Historical Overview

In 1997, an Advisory Board was formed to design a special education project that would provide guidance, direction and support to charters in developing and implementing a total special education system.

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Historical Overview

Each year since 1997, the Project has developed a grant proposal for the evolving special education system needs of charter schools.

In 2002-2003, the Project needed to assess fees for service due to the growing need.

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Historical Overview

In the first year of operation, the Project was staffed with one professional position to address the technical assistance and training needs of 24 charter schools. 

Currently the Project services over 90 charter schools throughout Minnesota, staffed by three directors and two coordinators.

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Public School Enrollment in MN

School

Year

# of

Charter

Schools

in MN

# of Charter School Students in MN

Total # of Public School Students

in MN

% of Students in MN Enrolled in Charters

# of Charter School Students in Mpls/St. Paul

Total # of Public School Students in Mpls/St.

Paul

% of Students in Mpls/St. Paul Enrolled in Charters

2003/04 88 14,256 842,915 1.70% 8,259 94,166 8.77%

2004/05 105 17,549 838,503 2.10% 10,126 91,744 11.04%

2005/06 125 20,610 838,997 2.46% 11,014 90,813 12.13%

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Public Enrollment

The number of charter schools has gradually increased each year. While the number of students in Minnesota has declined in the last three years, charter school enrollment has increased.

Total Public School Enrollments in Minneapolis and St. Paul

8,259 10,126 11,014

94,166 91,744 90,813

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

School Year

Charter Schools Other Public Schools

Growth in Number of Charter Schools

88

105

125

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2003/04 2004/05 2005/06

School Year

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Revenue Sources

+ + =

=

Excess Cost Aid

Billing Revenue

on Non-resident

Students

Levy

Traditional School Districts

Excess Cost

Revenue

Billing Revenue

Charter School Districts Excess

Cost Revenue

Traditional school districts and charter school districts both receive special

education funds from state and federal sources. Traditional school districts

also can receive revenue through excess cost aid tuition billing and have levy capability, while charter schools lack levy authority and do not receive excess cost aid.

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Services

MCSSEP SERVICE OPTIONS Minnesota Charter Schools Special

Education Project provides all the mandated components required to serve as a special education director of a school district. MCSSEP serves as a special education director to charter schools throughout the state of Minnesota.

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Services

Because of the grant provided by the MinnesotaDepartment of Education, MCSSEP is able to providegeneral services to developing charter schools,parents, parent advocacy groups and other agencies.These services include: Basic print information and short-term consultation

on charter school responsibilities for students with disabilities;

State and federal statutes, non-discrimination mandates, and child find procedures;

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Services

Special education policy and procedural information/training to prospective charter school founders and leaders;

Short-term consultation and print materials in collaboration with MDE;

Referrals to appropriate sources on charter schools, advocacy supports, other school districts and divisions of the MDE;

Support on completing state application process including required signatures;

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Services

Liaison for charter schools to MDE policy or action groups;

Information liaison to other agencies/school districts on special education in charter schools;

General information on teacher recruitment and securing contracted services; and

MCSSEP web site: www.mcssep.org

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Training Opportunities

The Project organizes and presents training for all charter schools throughout MN, regardless of contract agreement.

Each year, training topics are developed according to the needs of the charter schools and staff.

In correlation with the trainings, the Project has developed a special education handbook and many other due process resources.

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05-06 Trainings Special Education 101 – held 8-10-05; 8-21-05 (2x) Due Process – held 8-17-05; 8-25-05; 3-3-06 (2x); 4-27-06 SpEd Forms – held 8-23-05 NCI Training – held 8-29-05; 8-31-05; 1-27-06; 2-9-06; 4-21-06; 5-15-06 Transition Training – held 9-30-05; 2-10-06 Woodcock Johnson III Training – held 10-06-05 Evaluations – held 11-4-05; 11-11-05 ASD – held 10-18-05; 10-20-05; 12-8-05; 2-25-06; 3-24-06; 4-12-06 IEP Content and Procedures – held 12-9-05 Special Education Spring Training – held 2-23-06; 3-16-06; 4-20-06;

5-11-06 Group Meetings – held 3-17-06 SEAC, Highly Qualified and Other Issues – held 5-5-06 Behavior and Interventions – held 5-12-06

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Services

MN Charter Schools Special Education Handbook, other materials, updates, and regulation/rule changes;

Information on state special education aid and federal special education funds;

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Services

Guidance/referral on special education licensing, variances and State Board of Teaching actions giving schools permission to hire;

Support in addressing special education staff evaluation & performance issues;

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Services

Due process procedure/policy training; special education training to address program needs of schools;

Support in conducting complex or problematic meetings for evaluation planning; evaluation reporting and IEP

development;

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Services

Test loans, test scoring services on selected special education tests, such as: Achievement Assessments Behavioral Assessments Adaptive Scales Transition Surveys ASD Assessments

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Services

Guidance/support in responding to letters of complaint or potential formal complaints;

Guidance/support in designing corrective action plans; implementation of corrective action plan;

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Services

Guidance in fiscally responsible budget development issues and allowable state and federal expenditure reporting for special education, such as: EDRS UFARS MARRS

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Services

Longer-term assistance in securing contracted services or other formal educational agency relationships.

Resource Directory, which includes contact information for area psychologists, speech pathologists, etc.

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Services

Each charter school is assigned a specific director who works in all areas to ensure compliance with all state and federal guidelines. Special education directors provide guidance using a variety of methods: training, on-site visits, emails, phone calls, and print resources.

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Communication

The Project serves as a direct link between the Minnesota Department of Education and the Charter Schools we serve.

This link of communication is not only to ensure timely and accurate state reporting, but also to communicate current and new special education guidelines through training opportunities.

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Quotes fromParents

"It is either THIS school, or move out of town."  I happen to know a family that moved out of town because of not having your charter as an option.  They moved the year the school was being planned and have since stated they wish they had had the option to stay. “

“Without the "special" help from you and the Special Education offered by [this charter school], my daughter’s school performance would not have been nearly as successful as it has been.”

“[Our charter school] opened my eyes to life and I'm grateful for the chance to attend such a wonderful place. These last three years were the catalyst to becoming who I am today. A "real" learning experience starts at [this charter school]”

“My son has been doing homework this week. There seems to have been a revelation.  He's taking more responsibility, and we are so pleased.  Thanks for working with him.  Having time with you to work on these areas is the best thing that could happen.”