Special Education
Summer Information and Contacts
If you have questions or concerns related to your child over the summer, please contact the principal at your child’s building. They will support your needs and include any additional staff needed to address your inquiry.
Welcome to Special Education!
Special education services are provided to eligible students in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The purpose of special education services is to “ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, and independent living.” IDEA 601(d)(1).
Special Education is specialized instruction specific to the child at no cost to parents. The instruction is designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Children must meet specific criteria set by the State of Minnesota and the Federal Government to receive special education services. Special Education is an instructional service, not a place.
The Minnetonka Special Education Department serves approximately 1,300 children from birth through age 21. Special education services are provided in all of our buildings, and all schools have licensed special education staff providing intervention support, evaluations, and special education instruction.
We offer a wide range of service delivery models. Most students receive services in their neighborhood school and, when possible, in their regular class setting. Service models include home-based services for infants and toddlers, 1:1 instruction, small group instruction, instruction in the general education classroom and off-site instruction as determined by the student's individual education planning (IEP) team.
- Minnetonka Public Schools Total Special Education Plan (TSES)
- Parent Rights in Special Education
- Child Find
- Evaluation
- The IEP
- Transitions Building to Building
- Placement and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
- School Programs
- Extended School Year (ESY)
- Third Party Reimbursement
- Acronyms and Terms
- Resources
- Special Educaton Advisory Counsel (SEAC)
- Restrictive Procedures
- Services for Non-Public School Students
Minnetonka Public Schools Total Special Education Plan (TSES)
Parent Rights in Special Education
Child Find
Evaluation
The IEP
Transitions Building to Building
Placement and Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
School Programs
Extended School Year (ESY)
Third Party Reimbursement
Acronyms and Terms
Resources
Special Educaton Advisory Counsel (SEAC)
Restrictive Procedures
Services for Non-Public School Students
Contact Us
Christine Breen
Executive Director of Special Education and EL
christine.breen@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-5036
Kristin Laughlin
Director of Special Education
kristin.laughlin@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-5045
Angie Kleinedler
ECSE and Related Services Coordinator
angela.kleinedler@minnetonkaschools.org
952-401-6808
Erin Valenta
Transition Services Coordinator (SAIL)
erin.valenta@minnetonkaschools.org
952-283-8222