SBE SE Panel Engages Parents Students Other Stakeholders

Saginaw County Stop is Committee’s First Visit to Local Community
to Learn What Works, Needs Improvements

LANSING – Nearly 100 parents, students, educators and other stakeholders attended a State Board of Education Special Education Committee meeting in Saginaw County tonight as the panel continued its work to learn what’s working and needs improvements in services and supports to children with disabilities.

The Saginaw Intermediate School District hosted the meeting, which included a listening session for attendees to share feedback about special education services in small groups. The meeting also included a public comment session and a presentation from the intermediate school district about the services and supports it provides to students with disabilities.

The bipartisan State Board of Education Special Education Committee will consider feedback from the meeting as it focuses on identifying strategies and best practices that support student success. State Board of Education members are working to strengthen partnerships with districts and families and help ensure students with disabilities receive the services, supports and opportunities they deserve.

“We want to find out what’s working and what needs to be done better by listening to families, educators and other stakeholders,” said State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh, who chairs the Special Education Committee. “Improving special education services is a top priority of the State Board of Education. The best way to do that is to connect with families where they live, work and go to school. I was pleased to have the opportunity to hear constructive feedback from families, educators and other community members who all want what’s best for students with disabilities.”

Pugh, a Democrat, chairs the five-member Special Education Committee. Tom McMillin, a Republican, is vice chair.

“Providing oversight of special education services is an important role of the State Board of Education,” McMillin said. “We need to hear from families about how to improve special education services so that students with disabilities can succeed. I appreciate the families, educators and advocates who came here tonight to share with us how we can make much-needed improvements to Michigan’s special education system.”

Charlene Orange of Saginaw, founder of Mama Bear Special Needs Support Group of the Great Lakes Region, was among the attendees. Her 12-year-old son has autism, is nonverbal and uses an augmentative and alternative communication device.

“I appreciate the State Board of Education Special Education Committee for coming to Saginaw County to listen to parents like me who want the best for our children,” Orange said. “There are many caring teachers and administrators, and I would like to see stronger partnerships between schools and families so that, together, we recognize our children’s talents and abilities and provide the encouragement and support they need to reach their academic goals. I also support cameras in special education classrooms, with administrative oversight and privacy safeguards. My son cannot always tell me what happened during his school day. Cameras could help protect students and staff and provide answers when concerns arise.”

The committee will hold future meetings in other communities around Michigan as part of a listening tour. Meetings are tentatively planned for Oakland, Grand Traverse and Marquette counties. Details will be announced at a later date.

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.

“Since becoming state superintendent 11 months ago, I have visited schools around the state as part of my listening tour,” Maleyko said. “To put Students First, we need to spend time in our schools and engage students, educators and families. I’m pleased that the State Board of Education has decided to travel to local schools to listen to people who spend time every day with students with disabilities and want to do everything they can to help them achieve their dreams. I appreciate Saginaw Intermediate School District Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Collier and his team for giving us the opportunity to listen.”

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 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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