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Special Education
Special Education
Join Our Team!
The MDE Office of Special Education is hiring. Check out our job openings by selecting the link below.
Information Line
Do you have a question related to special education? Call 888-320-8384*
* Interpreter services in several languages are available.
Parent Resources
Information about special education for parents and families.
Procedural Safeguards
Schools must provide notice to parents about the protections and rights for their
children with disabilities.
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.
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.
Guidance for 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.
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.
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.
Quick Links
COVID-19 Special Education Information and Resources
Information, guidance, and resources to support students with disabilities during the COVID-19 crisis.
Previously Released Guidance
A list of all guidance documents released by the Office of Special Education.
Mediation and Dispute Resolution
Find ways for parents and schools to problem solve about special education issues.
Eligibility
Find information about determining a student’s eligibility for special education programs and services.
Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE)
The MARSE are the Michigan rules to follow when implementing special education laws.
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.
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.
Michigan Special Education Reference (MI-SER)
The MI-SER is a database of federal and state special education law and policy information and resources.
Sign-up for Announcements from the OSE
Sign-up to receive email announcements from the Office of Special Education.