Heather Eckner

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

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)

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

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Introducing PACES: The Parents Advancing Change in Education Systems Program

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), in collaboration with our grassroots coalition MiPAAC, has launched a transformative initiative to engage and empower parents of children and youth with disabilities receiving special education: the Parents Advancing Change in Education Systems (PACES) program.  Led by AAoM’s Education Pillar, PACES kicked off in September 2024, following a competitive

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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

Advocacy in Action: holding systems accountable 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

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

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 disabilities 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

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

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).

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autism alliance submits blueprint for alternate assessment cap compliance

Autism Alliance submits Blueprint for Alternate Assessment Cap Compliance

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

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aaom releases michigan special education experience survey report to the community

Michigan Special Education Experience Survey – Report to the Community

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

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Autism Alliance and MiPAAC celebrate ‘Literacy 4 ALL’ legislation

Bi-partisan legislation focused on improving early screening and teacher training a move in the right direction for Michigan students and educators Publication date: October 11, 2024 Autism Alliance and MiPAAC celebrate ‘Literacy 4 ALL’ legislation – press release The Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) powered by the Autism Alliance of Michigan celebrates the

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Celebrating 4 Years of MiPAAC: A Journey of Advocacy and Impact

Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? Join MiPAAC! mipaac.org/join-mipaac This month marks the 4th anniversary of the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC), powered by the Autism Alliance of Michigan. Over the past four years, MiPAAC has grown into a robust statewide network of over 300 members, each dedicated

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A title that says “Special Education Finance Reform A New Path Toward Equity & Adequacy” in white text on a blue background. The MiPAAC circle logo Is to the left on the title. The full MiPAAC logo and a “powered by” Autism Alliance of Michigan logo are below the title.

Special Education Finance Reform: A New Path Toward Equity & Adequacy

Autism Alliance of Michigan drives new path toward equity & adequacy in special education finance reform In March 2024, the Autism Alliance of Michigan made a public call for Special Education Finance Reform Look for our working paper – coming soon! A New Path Toward Equity and Adequacy The Autism Alliance of Michigan has been

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A title that says “Autism Alliance Submits Public Comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds Under IDEA Part C for FFY 2024” in white text on a blue background. The MiPAAC circle logo Is to the left on the title. The full MiPAAC logo and a “powered by” Autism Alliance of Michigan logo are below the title.

Autism Alliance submits Public Comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds under IDEA Part C for FFY 2024

Advocacy in Action: holding systems accountable Autism Alliance submits Public Comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds under IDEA Part C for FFY 2024 Last year, the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) released an Education Stakeholder Analysis that included significant participation from a robust field of cross-sector representation. Read more here: Autism Alliance of

Autism Alliance submits Public Comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds under IDEA Part C for FFY 2024 Read More »

A title that says “Autism Alliance Submits Public Comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds Under IDEA Part B for FFY 2024” in white text on a blue background. The MiPAAC circle logo Is to the left on the title. The full MiPAAC logo and a “powered by” Autism Alliance of Michigan logo are below the title.

AAoM submits Public Comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds under IDEA Part B for FFY 2024

Advocacy in Action: holding systems accountable Autism Alliance submits Public Comment on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds under IDEA Part B for FFY 2024 Last year, the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) released an Education Stakeholder Analysis that included significant participation from a robust field of cross-sector representation. Based on the collective input, a

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A title that says “Autism Alliance of Michigan Calls for Comprehensive Special Education Finance Reform” in white text on a blue background. The MiPAAC circle logo Is to the left on the title. The full MiPAAC logo and a “powered by” Autism Alliance of Michigan logo are below the title.

Autism Alliance of Michigan calls for Comprehensive Special Education Finance Reform

Press Release: Autism Alliance of Michigan Calls for Comprehensive Special Education Finance Reform FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Southfield, Michigan (March 20, 2024) — The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) urges the legislature to overhaul how the state funds special education to ensure all students with disabilities receive the resources necessary to achieve their full potential. AAoM

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A title that says “Special Education Day December 2” in white text on a blue background. The MiPAAC circle logo Is to the left on the title. The full MiPAAC logo and a “powered by” Autism Alliance of Michigan logo are below the title.

Special Education Day – December 2

Special Education Day 48th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Governor Whitmer proclaimed December 2 Special Education Day in Michigan (2022). On Special Education Day, we reflect on the importance of special education in ensuring students with disabilities have access to opportunity and achieve meaningful outcomes in public schools. Born out of the

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What Does the Perez Supreme Court Decision Mean for Students?

What Does the Perez Supreme Court Decision Mean for Students? Contributed by: Dorene Philpot, Esp. There is big news in the special education world due to a recent ruling (March 2023) from the U.S. Supreme Court involving a deaf Michigan child, which reversed a Sixth Circuit decision. In Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, (Docket 21-887,

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Statewide Survey on Special Education Experience Released

  Statewide Survey on Special Education Experience Released March 16, 2023 | MiPAAC Grassroots coalition asking parents and students to share experiences. SOUTHFIELD — The Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) powered by the Autism Alliance of Michigan is seeking input from Michigan residents who are either parents/caregivers or current (and former) students with

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