Minnesota Charter Schools Special Education Project

Services

General Services (No Fees):

Available to charter schools, parents, public educational agencies, and other interested entities:

1. 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.
2. Special education policy and procedural information/training to prospective charter school founders and leaders, short-term consultation and print materials in collaboration with MDE.
3. Referrals to appropriate sources on charter schools, advocacy supports, other school districts and divisions of the MDE.
4. General information on teacher recruitment and securing contracted services.
5. Liaison for charter schools to MDE policy or action groups.
6. Information liaison to other agencies/school districts on special education in charter schools.
7. MCSSEP Web Site Information and Resources.

Special Services for Charter Schools (Fee Based Services):

1. Due process procedure/policy training; special education training to address program needs of schools.
2. MN Charter Schools Special Education Handbook, other materials, updates, and regulation/rule changes.
3. Guidance on special education software acquisition.
4. Information on state special education aid and federal special education funds.
5. Guidance on identifying special education program and administrative needs.
6. Guidance/referral on special education licensing, variances and State Board of Teaching actions giving schools permission to hire.
7. Collegial support and professional development meetings for special education personnel.
8. Test loans, test scoring services on selected special education tests.
9. Media and print resources for special education training and data privacy.
10. Communication support (formal & informal) for linkages to other agencies including MDE divisions.
11. Transition support for special education students when a charter closes.
12. Support on completing state application process including required signatures.
13. Support in hiring and retaining staff as needed including mentoring services to 25 hour limit.
14. Support in addressing special education staff evaluation & performance issues.
15. Guidance/support in monitoring and compliance audits.
16. Guidance/support in responding to letter of complaint or potential formal complaints.
17. Guidance/support in designing corrective action plans; implementation of corrective action plan.
18. Guidance in fiscally responsible budget development issues and allowable state and federal expenditure reporting for special education.
19. Guidance on state required special education reporting (e.g. Special education application, Child Count, EDRS).
20. Special education program, individual student due process and discipline problem solving.
21. Support in conducting complex or problematic meetings for evaluation planning; evaluation reporting and IEP development.
22. Longer term assistance in securing contracted services or other formal educational agency relationships.
23. Guidance in interpretation and implementation of mandates and policies related to disability issues in public schools beyond special education.
24. Review status of school's special education programming and support in developing a special education improvement plan.
25. Guidance on implementing mandated requirements such as interagency plans and 3rd party Medicaid and insurance billing.