June 8, 2007

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Education will conduct six public hearings at three sites throughout the state next week to take input on proposed changes to the state’s Special Education rules. The revisions are necessary in order to bring the state in alignment with changes to federal law.

“We have to make these changes to our rules,” said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan. “Tens of millions of federal dollars to provide services to our students with disabilities are dependent on compliance with federal law.”

Flanagan explained that initially these proposed changes have been misinterpreted by some to mean an ending of services to students, especially the Extended School Year program.

“Students in our special education programs will still have access to these services,” Flanagan explained, “the determination of which students qualify for these services are to be made for each individual student and not limited to any one group of students. We have not proposed, and will not propose, cutting these services or any other services.”

Flanagan encourages the public to attend the public hearings, provide input on the proposed changes, and offer suggestions on how best to serve students with disabilities under the new federal law.

The Public Hearings will be held:

Monday, June 11 (6:30-8:30 p.m.)
Tuesday, June 12 (9:00-11:00 a.m.)

Oakland Schools
Conference Room A
2111 Pontiac Lake Road
Waterford, Michigan 48328
(248) 209-2000

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.)

Kirtland Community College
Kirtland House
10775 North Saint Helen Road
Roscommon, MI 48653
(989) 275-5000, ext 418

Wednesday, June 13, 2007 (6:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
Thursday, June 14, 2007 (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.)

Ingham Intermediate School District
Capitol Area Career Center
611 Hagadorn Road
Mason, MI 48854
(517) 373-0924

Oral or written comment may be presented in person at the hearing or submitted in writing by mail, e-mail, or facsimile no later than 5:00, July 20, 2007. All comment will be reviewed and considered in the final version of the rules.

Comments may be submitted to the following:

Special Education Rules (2007-015 ED) Public Comment
Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services
Michigan Department of Education
P.O. Box 30008
Lansing, MI 48909
Email: mde-ose@michigan.gov
Fax: (517) 373-7504.