2025.0205 blog swd need leadership (h.eckner)

Autism Alliance: Students with disabilities need steady leadership, not confusion and chaos

By Heather Eckner | February 6, 2025 | 0 Comments

Autism Alliance: Students with disabilities need steady leadership, not confusion and chaos Publication date: February 5, 2025 By: Heather Eckner, Director of Statewide Education, Autism Alliance of Michigan Read here: 2025.0205 Autism Alliance blog post_Students with disabilities need steady leadership The U.S. Department of Education plays a crucial role in ensuring that all students, regardless […]

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Autism Alliance applauds COPAA amicus brief regarding OCR investigation against the Michigan Department of Education

By Heather Eckner | February 5, 2025 | 0 Comments

Autism Alliance applauds COPAA amicus brief regarding OCR investigation against the Michigan Department of Education Publication date: February 6th, 2025 Read the brief here: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.copaa.org/resource/resmgr/docs/2025_docs_/copaa.amicus.pdf  SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) applauds the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) in filing an amicus brief related to an administrative proceeding the Office […]

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Autism Alliance provides public comment to the State Board of Education on the Special Education Experience Survey (January 2025)

By Heather Eckner | February 4, 2025 | 0 Comments

Autism Alliance provides public comment to the State Board of Education on the Special Education Experience Survey (January 14, 2025) Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment State Board of Education January 14, 2025 Read here: 2025.0114 Autism Alliance Public Comment_State Board of Ed_Special Education Experience Survey Good afternoon board members, Superintendent, and department staff.  My […]

autism alliance submits public comments on michigan’s waiver request to exceed 1 cap on alternate assessment in 2024 25.pptx

Autism Alliance submits public comments on Michigan’s Waiver Request to Exceed 1% Cap on Alternate Assessment in 2024-25

By Heather Eckner | December 18, 2024 | 0 Comments

2024.1218 AAoM Public Comment on Michigan One Percent Alternate Assessment Waiver AAoM submitted public comments via the Online Survey link provided on the MDE site, per its stated process. AAoM also submitted our organization’s comments via email (MDE-ESSA@michigan.gov) as we find the survey platform to be somewhat limiting for the purposes of this communication. December […]

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Autism Alliance applauds Congressional floor speech calling for urgent action to support students with disabilities

By Heather Eckner | December 16, 2024 | 0 Comments

Autism Alliance applauds Congressional floor speech calling for urgent action to support students with disabilities Publication date: December 16, 2024 Media statement: Autism Alliance applauds Congressional floor speech calling for urgent action to support students with disabilties Congresswoman Tlaib addresses the floor on December 5, 2024 making call for full IDEA funding and drawing attention […]

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Autism Alliance releases working paper calling for new framework to special education finance in Michigan

By Heather Eckner | December 13, 2024 | 0 Comments

Michigan is not adequately meeting the needs of students with disabilities, leading to poor outcomes in education. Publication date: December 13th, 2024 Press Release: Autism Alliance releases working paper calling for new framework to special education finance in Michigan View the working paper – Funding Our Future: The Call for a New Framework in Special […]

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Special Education Day – December 2, 2024

By Heather Eckner | December 2, 2024 | 0 Comments

Special Education Day 49th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Publication date: December 2, 2024 Governor Whitmer proclaimed December 2 Special Education in Michigan (2022) In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed into law the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142), now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). […]

mipaac our path forward

MiPAAC – our path forward

By Heather Eckner | November 15, 2024 | 0 Comments

A message to the members of the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition Publication date: November 12, 2024 As we continue to digest national and statewide news, while also processing the coming transition of administrations and legislatures, we stay grounded in the resolve of our purpose. MiPAAC strives to be an inclusive space where students […]

autism alliance submits blueprint for alternate assessment cap compliance

Autism Alliance submits Blueprint for Alternate Assessment Cap Compliance

By Heather Eckner | November 15, 2024 | 0 Comments

Delivering on advocacy action as a result of findings from the Special Education Experience Survey, Autism Alliance of Michigan sends recommendations for proactive steps to decrease the overuse of alternate assessment for students with disabilities Letter to MDE_AAoM Blueprint for Alternate Assessment Cap Compliance November 1, 2024 Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice – Michigan Department of […]

aaom releases michigan special education experience survey report to the community

Michigan Special Education Experience Survey – Report to the Community

By Heather Eckner | November 14, 2024 | 0 Comments

Report reveals Michigan’s special education system fails to meet student and family needs Publication date: October 24, 2024 Press Release: Michigan Special Education Experience Survey – Report to the Community Nine years after the statewide taskforce recommended reforms, Autism Alliance of Michigan survey shows no improvements in special education. SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Autism Alliance […]