News

If you know of anything going on in Minnesota, education, the world, etc. that would be a good for Minnesota School Psychologists, please email our webmaster at mspaonlinewebmaster@gmail.com with the information that you'd like us to post. We will email you to confirm its posting. 


  • 17 Dec 2018 10:25 AM | Anne Zaslofsky (Administrator)

    The post-election dust has settled and things are beginning to take shape as the Legislature prepares for the 2019 legislative session.  The biggest change going into 2019 is that the DFL will control the Minnesota House of Representatives with a 75-59 majority.  This constitutes a considerable swing from the previous biennium, when Republicans held a 77-57 edge.  The suburban area of the state is where the greatest political shift took place, which coincides with the unseating of two Republican members of the United States Congress by Democratic candidates.  The Senate remains under Republican control with a 34-33 one-vote margin.

    The change in party control in the House has brought about a change in committee chairs.  Representative Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) will chair the Education Funding Committee in the House and Representative Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins) will chair the Education Policy Committee.  Both chairs have been employed by school districts, giving them valuable experience in helping discern what students and staff need to succeed in today’s education environment.  The membership rosters for the committees has yet to be released, but should be at least a week before the 2019 session begins on January 8, 2019.

    While the Republicans remain in control of the Senate, they have tinkered with the committee structure and have combined the Education Funding and Education Policy Committees into one larger committee.  That committee will be chaired by Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) who previously chaired the Education Funding Committee.  As is the case with the House of Representatives, the membership roster for this combined committee has yet to be determined.

    There will also be a new Governor with Congressman Tim Walz taking office in early January.  Governor Walz has an extensive background in public education, working as a teacher and coach, most recently in the Mankato school district.  With the advent of a new administration, new commissioners will man most of the state agencies.  Word at this time is that a small number of current commissioners from the Dayton Administration will remain in place, but it is expected that most agencies will have a new commissioner.  It’s really important for all of us to recognize the hard work current Commissioner of Education Brenda Cassellius has put in during her eight-year tenure at the Minnesota Department of Education.  Commissioner Cassellius has been a tireless advocate for children, especially those with the greatest barriers to receiving a high-quality education.

    I will be providing updates throughout the legislative session and can be reached at lundelllegislative31@gmail.com or 612-220-7459 (cell).  I am also on Twitter at @Lundellleg.  I look forward to hearing from MSPA members throughout the session, so don’t hesitate to let me know if you have a question or comment.


  • 12 Dec 2018 12:12 PM | Anne Zaslofsky (Administrator)

    Featuring Anne Gearity, Part 1 & 2

    ·        MSSWA is thrilled to announce a one of a kind opportunity. Registration is open to members and non-members of MSSWA.  Come spend a day with Anne Gearity in a round session experience!

    ·        MSSWA is hosting this experience as part of our 50 year Anniversary!

    5.5 Clinical Social Work CEU's / Post Tests Available

    Includes Continental Breakfast/Coffee/Snacks

    SPACE IS LIMITED TO 40 ATTENDEES - DO NOT DELAY, REGISTRATION WILL SELL OUT!   

    Priority Given to MSSWA Members - Registration for Non-MSSWA Members Opens Dec 11th, 2018

    http://msswa.org/event-3137208

    http://msswa.org/event-3137289


  • 5 Dec 2018 9:03 AM | Anne Zaslofsky (Administrator)

    Check out the upcoming PACER workshops on their website: https://www.pacer.org/workshops/

    Workshop Topics Include: 

    • Becoming an Active Partner in Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP)
    • ABCs of the IEP for Transition-age Students and Their Parents
    PACER Center - Champions for Children with Disabilities




  • 6 Nov 2018 3:22 PM | Anne Zaslofsky (Administrator)

    Please complete the attached Poster Presentation Application and submit to Dr. Kevin Filter at kevin.filter@mnsu.edu. Please also direct any questions to Dr. Filter before the application deadline of November 19th.

    MSPA Call for Posters 2019 Midwinter Conference.pdf

  • 17 Oct 2018 1:46 PM | Anne Zaslofsky (Administrator)

    Check out PACER's Upcoming Workshop! Presentations are scheduled for various locations across the state covering a range of topics. Some offer web streaming for those who are not able to attend in-person.  


  • 15 Oct 2018 12:18 PM | Anne Zaslofsky (Administrator)

    Please complete this form: MSPA Vendor table reservation.pdf

    Contact Jennifer Brehm <jbrehm@zumbroed.org> with any questions. 


  • 3 Oct 2018 3:14 PM | Anne Zaslofsky (Administrator)

    The National Association of School Psychologists has recently made a public call for more research regarding child and adolescent suicide, and with the help of your organization, this research hopes to help address possible opportunities to improve student mental and emotional health. 

    This research is contacting various state associations and asking practicing school psychologists to complete a survey (attached; a modified version of the Self-Efficacy of School Professionals survey). Along with this survey, will be a quick demographic questionnaire (attached) and some experiential questions (attached). The link to this online survey is: https://miamioh.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55epJzPqQvCsETj

    Appendices Miami Suicide Self Efficacy.pdf

    Contact for further inquiries:

    Derek Allen Baker

    School Psychology Graduate Student, Miami University

    bakerda@miamioh.edu


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