State Board of Education Special Education Committee to Hold First of Multiple Meetings in Local Communities

Board Members Visiting Saginaw County to Learn What Works and Needs Improvement with Services to Children with Disabilities

LANSING – Families, educators and other stakeholders are invited to attend a State Board of Education Special Education Committee meeting next month in Saginaw County to share their feedback on services for students with disabilities.

Committee members will travel to the Saginaw Intermediate School District for the meeting, which is from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 9. The committee will hold future meetings in other communities around Michigan as part of a listening tour.

“It’s important that we hear as many voices as possible from different parts of the state as we advance statewide efforts to strengthen services, partnerships and outcomes for students with disabilities,” said Dr. Pamela Pugh, president of the State Board of Education and chair of its Special Education Committee. “Families, students and educators experience our special education system every day and they know where it is working and where we need to do better. We want to learn from those experiences and make sure they help shape the work ahead.”

The board in June announced the formation of the bipartisan Special Education Committee after a unanimous vote.

The committee has been working closely with the Michigan Department of Education and State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko.

“As I have visited Michigan schools statewide, one of the common themes I have heard is the need to improve special education services,” Maleyko said. “Michigan educators are doing outstanding work in supporting students with disabilities, but we need to continue to strive to do better as we put Students First.”

The Nov. 9 meeting is at the Saginaw Intermediate School District Unity Hall, 3860 Fashion Square Blvd. in Saginaw. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet in small groups during engagement sessions to share their feedback about special education services. There also will be a public comment period and information sharing from the State Board of Education Special Education Committee and Saginaw Intermediate School District.

RSVPs are not required to attend, but people planning to attend are asked to RSVP at Special Education Committee – Listening Sessions to help the committee prepare for the session. 

“We are proud and honored that the State Board of Education selected Saginaw ISD to host its first special education committee meeting on the road,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, superintendent of the Saginaw Intermediate School District. “Through years of strategic investments, expanded programming, and strong partnerships with our local school districts, Saginaw County has made significant strides in strengthening special education services and opportunities for students with disabilities. We look forward to welcoming state leaders, families, and educators to our community to showcase this important work and help shape the future of special education across Michigan.”

The committee is focusing on identifying strategies and best practices that support student success, strengthening partnerships with districts and families, and helping ensure students with disabilities receive the services, supports and opportunities they deserve.

The committee also includes board members Tom McMillin, who is committee vice chair, Ellen Cogen Lipton and Dr. Judith Pritchett. Future meetings are tentatively planned for Oakland, Grand Traverse and Marquette counties. Details will be announced at a later date.

The public can visit the State Board of Education Special Education Committee webpage  for more information and can sign up for the committee’s newsletter.

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