Featured News and Events
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Jennifer Hudson – Live at PACER’s Benefit on May 12, 2018
The Academy and Grammy Award-winning entertainer
and coach of NBC’s “THE VOICE” will headline PACER’s 36th Annual Benefit -
Project KITE Applications for Spring 2018 are now being accepted!
A Free assistive technology training and coaching program for parents and educators designed to increase the independence and inclusion of young learners with disabilities.
Learn More and Apply Online Today
Application deadline is Monday, February 22, 2018
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Official CHOOSE KIND Shirt Available Now!
WONDER is the incredibly inspiring story of Auggie Pullman, a boy with facial differences who enters fifth grade at a mainstream school for the first time. PACER partnered with this New York Times bestseller book and Lionsgate, and we are thrilled this heartwarming story is coming to theaters in November! The inspiring take-away message from WONDER is to always choose kind. You can show that kindness matters through the film’s official CHOOSE KIND shirt, from which the proceeds are being donated to PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. 
Facebook Buy & Sell Group - MN Special Needs Equipment for Sale
Find equipment and assistive technology after its initial use. Items such as, communication devices, walkers, adaptive switches and toys, motorized cars (that can be adapted), adapted keyboards, etc. Join Today!
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The Center on Technology and Disability
helps parents explore assistive technology online
PACER Center has partnered with the Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) to offer parents a variety of high-quality resources on assistive technology, including webinars, an online library, and Elearning courses. Learn more at ctdinstitute.org and sign up for CTD updates to learn about upcoming events.
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Stay InformedSign up for the PACER E-News where you can get monthly updates by email.
In The News
U.S. Dept. of Education releases Q&A on Free Appropriate Public Education
Posted: 12/27/2017
The U.S. Department of Education recently released a question-and-answer document supporting the unanimous Supreme Court opinion on Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District in March 2017. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)-related case clarifies the scope of a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
The Department issued the Q&A document to provide information to parents, educators, and others on the issues addressed in the case and the impact of the Court’s decision. The document also explains how FAPE is currently defined, clarifies the standard for determining FAPE, and addresses how this ruling can support children with disabilities.
View the Q&A document on the U.S. Department of Education website
View the Supreme Court decision on the SCOTUSblog website
Dyslexia: What’s New in Minnesota?
Posted: 10/9/2017
Minnesota school districts are currently required to develop a local literacy plan to ensure that all students are reading well by no later than the end of third grade. Minnesota school districts are also now required to report K-2 summary reading data, reading disability identification efforts and provision of alternate instruction along with their Local Literacy Plans to the Minnesota Education Commissioner by July 1 of each year.
During the 2017 legislative session, new language was added to the “Reading Well by Third grade” law that included three new school district requirements.
Help Support PACER
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Join Survey Monkey Contribute today!PACER is excited to announce our partnership with SurveyMonkey Contribute and a new way for anyone to support PACER programs! Sign up and you will receive surveys by e-mail from SurveyMonkey customers who need your opinion. For every survey you take, SurveyMonkey will donate $0.50 to PACER, and you'll get a chance to win $100 in an instant-win game.
Register for a Workshop / Live Stream Event
Upcoming Workshops
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Housing: Starting the Journey : How do we start? (Step 1)
Date: Monday, February 12, 2018 - 6:30 PM - 9:00 PMLocation: PACER Center -
Harnessing the Power of Google: Chrome Extensions for Reading, Writing, and Organization
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 1:00 PM - 2:30 PMLocation: PACER Center - also available via online streaming -
What Families Need to Know about Youth Career Pathways and WorkForce Centers
Date: Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: Duluth -
A Seat at the Table: The Family Voice is Needed
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2018 - 9:00 AM - 11:00 AMLocation: PACER Center - also available via online streaming -
Being an Active Participant in your Child’s Transition Before Age Three
Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2018 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: PACER Center - also available via online streaming -
Hot Tips on the Individualized Education Program (IEP): Is your child’s IEP individualized and appropriate?
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2018 - 6:30 PM - 8:30 PMLocation: Mound -
Housing: Starting the Journey : How is it paid for? (Step 2)
Date: Monday, February 26, 2018 - 6:30 PM - 9:00 PMLocation: PACER Center
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Step by Step School Discipline Guide
Parents of children with disabilities often ask:
- Can the school send my child home before the end of the school day?
- Can the school district suspend my child?
- Can the school district expel my child?
- What happens to my child’s educational services if he or she is sent home, suspended, or expelled?
This interactive guide will answer these and many other questions. Whether your child is on an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Section 504 Plan, or if you suspect that your child has a disability that affects his or her behavior at school, this guide will help you understand the complex disciplinary process for Minnesota public school children with disabilities.