- There are about 223,000 students receiving special education services in Michigan
- New state superintendent says special education is a priority
- Students with disabilities have personalized plans aimed at ensuring they have access to a ‘free appropriate public education’
As people celebrate the 50th anniversary of the nation’s landmark special education law, many are calling for changes in Michigan.
There are debates about funding, appropriate accommodations for children and state oversight.
Michigan students with disabilities can receive special education until they are age 26.
Here are three things to know about special education in Michigan.
- How many students are in special education?
There are a few ways to measure students who have Individualized Education Programs, which are personalized education plans tailored to a student’s disability and their goals.
There were 223,100 students receiving special education last school year in public, private or homeschool settings. This includes people from birth to 26 who have an Individualized Education Plan or Individualized Family Service Plan.
- How does Michigan fund special education?
Schools use a combination of local, state and federal funds to pay for special education.
The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is now 50 years old but school groups and state leaders have repeatedly said the federal government has not fully funded its obligations.
The state pays local school districts a base amount for every public school student. Then, the state reimburses districts for 28.6% of special education service and 70% of transportation of students with disabilities.
A group of advocates and experts is recommending the state adopt a “weighted” model where districts receive different amounts of funding per student depending on how much need the student has. Schools would still receive a base per-pupil amount for each student under the proposal.
Related:
- New Michigan superintendent aims to raise test scores, collaborate with Whitmer
- Michigan fails its students with disabilities, first-ever report finds
- Report: Michigan must overhaul ‘inequitable’ way it funds special education
- Michigan schools scramble to ready students with disabilities for future
Michigan already has a weighted model for funding students from low-income backgrounds. All districts receive extra money based on the number of economically disadvantaged students. But starting with the 2023-2024 school year, some districts receive more per student than others based on the concentration of student poverty in a district. This is sometimes called the “opportunity index.”
New State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko told Bridge earlier this month he has already spoken to two members of Michigan’s congressional delegation about the need for additional federal funding.
“I’m prioritizing special ed,” Maleyko said. “I think it’s important. We need to do it for the students. But funding too.”
- Can parents challenge school districts’ decisions about their kids with disabilities?
Parents and guardians of students with disabilities have the right to advocate for their children in public school settings.
If parents disagree with their local school district’s decisions about their child, they can have informal discussions, a facilitated meeting or mediation. Parents can also file a state complaint, due process complaint or federal complaint.
Bridge reported earlier this year that since 2018, state investigations stemming from parent complaints jumped 21%, while the overall population of special education students has increased just 3.6%, records show.
Sometimes, parents cannot find a resolution with their local school district and end up moving their child to another school or taking them out of the public system altogether.
Where to get help
There are organizations that can help parents navigate the special education system.
Resources include:
- The Michigan Alliance for Families offers a free guide to special education in Michigan
- The State of Michigan has a variety of information and a hotline available for parents
- Disabilities Rights Michigan offers a guide to laws governing special education
- The Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) powered by the Autism Alliance of Michigan offers “student-centered” advocacy.
Bridge Michigan is committed to covering stories about special education. If you have a story idea or question, you can reach out to education reporters Isabel Lohman or Kim Kozlowski by email.
Thank you to our Education Watch sponsors
Education Watch is made possible by generous financial support from our sponsors. Please visit the About page for more information and to subscribe to Education Watch. Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Emma Carr.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under our Republication Guidelines. Questions? Email republishing@bridgemi.com
