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Special Education

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Special Education

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Information Line

Do you have a question related to special education? Call 888-320-8384*

* Interpreter services in several languages are available.

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Parent Resources

Information about special education for parents and families.

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Procedural Safeguards

Schools must provide notice to parents about the protections and rights for their
children with disabilities.

Procedural Safeguards

OSE Spotlight

Special Education Reevaluation Process Update

This guidance document has been updated to provide additional information on the process a district must follow when the parent and the district agree a reevaluation is unnecessary to determine whether the child continues to have a disability and to determine the educational needs of the student.

Download Special Education Reevaluation Process

Use of Physician's Assistants and Nurse Practitioners in Special Education

Memorandum clarifying the term "physician" as used in MARSE.

Download Memorandum

IEP Development: PLAAFP Available

This document is intended to support IEP teams in developing a present level of academic achievement and functional performance statement that supports both the compliance and the substantive obligation of providing a free appropriate public education under IDEA.

Download IEP Development: PLAAFP

LRE Training and Awareness Building Tools Released

The Office of Special Education has developed a least restrictive environment (LRE) case study, continuum, and scenarios as training and awareness building tools for public agencies to use with general education and special education teachers and administrators.

Explore LRE Tools

FAPE for Adult Learners

Providing special education programs and services is the responsibility of all public agencies involved in the education of adult learners with disabilities.

Download FAPE for Adult Learners

IEP Development: Special Education Programs and Services Guidance Available

This document supports the development of an IEP based on the unique needs of the student, which are described in the Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP).

Download IEP Development

Q&A Available for Implementing the MARSE R340.1708 - Visual Impairment

New document answers VI rule questions.

MARSE R340.1708 Q&A

Building Capacity - Improving Outcomes

How the Office of Special Education supports the Michigan Department of Education's Mission, Vision, and Top 10 Strategic Plan.

Download Building Capacity - Improving Outcomes

The Path Forward Strategic Action Plan

An outcome-focused plan to bring about systemic change to support post-school success for students with disabilities in Michigan.

Download Strategic Action Plan

Quick Links

COVID-19 Special Education Information and Resources

Information, guidance, and resources to support students with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis.

COVID-19 Resources

Previously Released Guidance

A list of all guidance documents released by the Office of Special Education.

Previously Released Guidance

Mediation and Dispute Resolution

Find ways for parents and schools to problem solve about special education issues.

Dispute Resolution Options

Eligibility

Find information about determining a student’s eligibility for special education programs and services.

Evaluations and Eligibility

Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE)

The MARSE are the Michigan rules to follow when implementing special education laws.

Download MARSE

SPP/APR

Michigan submits a State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report (SPP/APR) to the U.S. Department of Education each year. The SPP/APR shows Michigan’s progress on each federal special education indicator and outlines the plan for the future.

SPP/APR

Supports for Students With Disabilities

Many offices and organizations outside of the OSE support students with disabilities. Look through the different supports for students with disabilities for help from other sources.

Explore Supports for Students with Disabilities

Michigan Special Education Reference (MI-SER)

The MI-SER is a database of federal and state special education law and policy information and resources.

MI-SER Website

Sign-up for Announcements from the OSE

Sign-up to receive email announcements from the Office of Special Education.

Sign-up for Email Notifications