Michigan board creates new special education committee

The Michigan State Board of Education unanimously created a Special Education Committee, a move Autism Alliance of Michigan says could sharpen support for students with disabilities. The new panel is meant to gather input from families, educators and advocates as Michigan weighs broader special education reforms. Why it matters: - Michigan is creating a formal forum to shape special education policy with input from students, families, educators and advocates. - The committee could influence how the state improves outcomes for students with disabilities and aligns funding with services. - The move adds momentum to broader efforts to modernize Michigan’s special education system. What happened: - The Michigan State Board of Education unanimously voted during its June meeting to create a Special Education Committee. - Autism Alliance of Michigan praised the decision as a step toward stronger support for students with disabilities. - Board President Dr. Pamela Pugh will chair the committee. - Board Member Tom McMillin will serve as vice chair. - The committee is expected to work with the Michigan Department of Education. - The panel will also engage students, families, educators, advocates, school leaders and community partners across Michigan. The details: - The committee’s stated purpose is to better understand needs, identify opportunities for improvement and elevate promising practices. - Autism Alliance of Michigan said the board’s bipartisan vote reflects a commitment to learn from the lived experiences of students and families. - Colleen Allen, president and CEO of Autism Alliance of Michigan, said the committee creates a dedicated forum for listening to stakeholders and strengthening special education. - The committee’s formation follows years of engagement by disability advocates and families seeking better outcomes in Michigan. - Through the legislatively approved Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint process, Autism Alliance of Michigan engaged more than 1,000 parents, educators, school leaders, advocates, policymakers and community partners. - The Blueprint recommends modernizing the state’s special education funding system. - The Blueprint also outlines strategies to better match resources to student needs and improve outcomes for students with disabilities. - The Michigan Senate included intent language in its School Aid budget proposal earlier this year supporting a weighted funding approach for students with disabilities. - Discussions continue around other Blueprint recommendations, including stronger support for students with the most significant needs. - Other discussions focus on improving the alignment between funding and services. - Since January 2025, Autism Alliance of Michigan has shared public comment, research findings, stakeholder feedback and policy recommendations with the State Board of Education. - That work has included the Special Education Experience Survey, the Michigan Special Education Benchmark Report and the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint. - Autism Alliance of Michigan also worked with the RISE coalition, a network focused on advancing Blueprint implementation and strengthening special education in Michigan. Between the lines: - The board’s action signals that Michigan policymakers are giving more weight to stakeholder-driven reform. - The committee could become a channel for translating advocacy, research and family experience into policy changes. - Dr. Pugh said the committee will help ensure stakeholder voices remain central to future special education discussions. - McMillin said the panel offers a chance to take a fresh look at long-standing challenges and identify practical fixes. - The creation of the committee suggests Michigan’s special education debate is moving from broad concern to a more structured policy process. What’s next: - The committee is expected to begin working with the Michigan Department of Education and stakeholders statewide. - Future policy discussions may continue around weighted funding, support for students with the most significant needs and service alignment. - Autism Alliance of Michigan and the RISE coalition are likely to keep pressing for implementation of Blueprint recommendations. The bottom line: - Michigan now has a dedicated board-level committee focused on special education, and the next test is whether that structure produces tangible change for students with disabilities.