Information on Michigan academic standards and instructional resources.
Responsible for providing final decisions in administrative appeals to MDE.
Learn more about the MDE office responsible for providing leadership in curriculum and instruction that provides students with greater choices to prepare for success.
Resources for educator certification, recognition programs, evaluation, and workforce research.
Resources related to financial and pupil accounting and auditing.
Options available for Michigan students that provide unique learning opportunities.
Food & Nutrition Programs
This MDE office provides resources and technical assistance in physical education, sex education, health education, behavioral, emotional, mental, and social education as well as safety, discipline, and transportation.
Resources for programs and initiatives that support school improvement efforts.
Resources for supporting special education in Michigan.
Michigan has an innovative and comprehensive system of assessments to measure student achievement in learning our state content standards.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
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Intermediate school districts (ISDs) and their member districts are responsible for providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) through their special education programs and services.
ISDs must submit a plan to the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Office of Special Education (OSE) that documents how special education services will be provided to students within the ISD and its member districts.
Section 380.1281 of the Revised School Code allows for waivers from certain rules in the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE). The state superintendent may grant a waiver to local educational agencies (LEAs), ISDs, or public school academies (PSAs) if the district is able to address the intent of the rule in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner or the waiver is necessary to stimulate improved pupil performance. Waivers may be granted for up to three years and may be renewed.
Waiver applications will no longer be accepted in paper form by mail, email or fax. Applications must be submitted through the Catamaran system.
With the recent revisions to the school social worker rules, school social worker waivers will no longer be processed by the Office of special Education. School social worker permits have replaced the waivers. Permits are now granted through MOECS. The requirements for a school social worker permit are the same as they were for a school social worker waiver.
Visit the School Social Worker Permit page for instructions on how to access MOECS and complete the application for the school social worker permit.
Waivers Webinar Presentation (external PowerPoint)
The MARSE allow for deviations from certain rules under specific circumstances outlined in R 340.1734. The MDE OSE may grant a deviation to LEAs, ISDs, or PSAs for a period not to extend beyond the current school year.
Applications for deviations must be submitted by the district through the Catamaran system.
