Michigan Special Education Reform Task Force issues final report and recommendations
Today, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley presented the final report and recommendations of the Michigan Special Education Reform Task Force to the Michigan Board of Education.
This was the official release of the report, which was presented to Gov. Rick Snyder in January.
Snyder created the task force and appointed Calley the chair in October 2015. Calley and his colleagues were asked to recommend reforms for Michigan’s special education system to help special needs children reach their full potential.
The task force worked diligently to meet the deadline of late December for completing their work, knowing that what they were doing was not the last step in the process but just one of the first.
They focused on developing policy recommendations to address the key findings of Calley’s 2015 statewide special education listening tour that led to an earlier formal presentation.
“Everyone in Michigan deserves a chance to live a self-determined independent life and an effective education is essential to achieving that outcome. We look forward to working together with all partners to implement these recommendations.” ~ Lt. Gov. Brian Calley
Here are some highlights of the recommendations, but the full report goes into much more detail.
1) Develop a more inclusive and transparent rulemaking process
a. Use standards of Administrative Procedures Act as the minimum
b. Provide and promote opportunities for discussion on proposed rules
c. Implement system for clear, unbiased rule revision analysis
d. Increase number and duration of public hearings
2) Improve access to, and the scope and quality of, services
a. Create a strategic plan for implementation of Multi-Tiered System of Supports
b. Develop initiatives for professional development of educators regarding Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
c. Implement evidence-based behavioral initiatives
3) End the practices of restraint and seclusion
a. State Legislature should pass and Governor should sign legislation restricting use of restraint and seclusion to specified emergency situations
4) Create a better problem-solving process
a. Convene annual roundtable of advocates, educators and administrators
b. Create cadre of five specially trained mediators
c. Encourage mediation and dissuade use of attorneys
d. Analyze mediation data annually
e. Continue surveying parents/guardians and school districts on use and outcome of mediation
f. Reinstate 10-day appeal for special education written complaints
g. Promote state’s written complaint process
h. Seek outside consultation on existing processes
i. Review allowable use of funds for attorney costs with school districts
j. Provide guidance to school districts that a parent’s team meeting request should be replied to within 10 days
5) Support parents, guardians and educators more with resources and options
a. Ensure parents and guardians are fully informed of procedural safeguards and problem-solving options
b. Promote Office of Special Education Help Desk
c. Develop strategic plan for communication with families with a student with a disability
d. Universities should review curriculum for teachers
e. Michigan Department of Education should review current training opportunities for teachers
f. School districts should use common language with parents
g. Intermediate School District parent advisory committee should promote activities
h. Local districts and Intermediate School Districts should include parents/guardians of students with disabilities in improvement planning process
The task force was made up of individuals with varied professional backgrounds providing a solid cross-section of support. The members were:
- Lt. Gov. Brian Calley; chair
- Melody Arabo (elementary teacher, Walled Lake Schools / Michigan Teacher of the Year 2014–15)
- Mary Bouwense, president, Grand Rapids Education Association, veteran special education teacher
- Elmer Cerano, executive director, Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service
- Teri Chapman, director, Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education
- Michelle Fecteau, State Board of Education member
- Diane Heinzelman — Director of Special Education, Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District
- State Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood, member, Senate School Aid Appropriations Subcommittee
- Laura Jones, founder, Special Education Advocacy & Development
- Scott Koenigsknecht, superintendent, Ingham Intermediate School District
- State Rep. Frank Liberati, member, House Committee on Families, Children and Seniors
- Marcie Lipsitt, founder, Michigan Alliance for Special Education
- Karen McPhee, Gov. Snyder’s Education adviser
- State Sen. Phil Pavlov, chair, Senate Education Committee
- State Rep. Jim Tedder, member, House Committee on Education
- Eileen Weiser, State Board of Education member
“What became clear from the earliest work of the Task Force is that the state’s responsibility for educating children needs to be refocused. Our services should mold to the specific needs of each child, instead of expecting children to conform to an established system. The efforts we discussed as a Task Force regarding children eligible for special education could, in many ways, apply to all children in the state. By addressing the needs of students who all are capable of learning but some of whom may need more intensive support, the state can be a national leader in ensuring that all children, regardless of disability, can live the most independent, productive and successful lives as adults.” ~ Lt. Gov. Brian Calley in a letter to Gov. Rick Snyder
