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Special Education

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Special Education

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The MDE Office of Special Education is hiring. Check out our job openings by selecting the link below.


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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.

Explore Parent Resources
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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

Guidance Available for Least Restrictive Environment Nonacademic Settings

This guidance assists districts in developing an understanding of the requirements of the IDEA regarding services provided to students with a disabilities in nonacademic settings.

Download LRE: Nonacademic Settings Document

Guidance Available for Determining the Need for Special Education Transportation

This document provides guidance on how to determine the need for special education transportation for students with individualized education programs consistent with the least restrictive environment requirements for safe travel to and from school, field trips, and sports/extracurricular activities.

Download Determining the Need for Special Education Transportation

Guidance for ISD Management of Proportionate Share Funds

The information in this guidance document is a model to be used when IDEA Part B proportionate share funds are retained by the ISD but equitable services for parentally placed private school children with disabilities are provided entirely or partially by member districts.
Download ISD Management of Proportionate Share Funds

LRE Requirements Package Available

The OSE has developed a least restrictive environment (LRE) requirements package to support districts with professional learning to ensure LRE decisions are made consistent with IDEA requirements, and to ensure each student receives a FAPE in the LRE.

Download LRE Requirements

Age Span Requirements for Special Education Programs Operated in Elementary Buildings

This memorandum addresses the challenges local school districts may face regarding the age span requirement contained in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education R 340.1733(d) program and service requirements.

Download Memorandum

Independent Educational Evaluation

An independent educational evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the district responsible for the education of the student. This document provides an overview of the federal and state requirements for conducting an IEE.

Independent Educational Evaluation

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