Uncategorized

New Resource: MiPAAC LinkTree MiPAAC now has a LinkTree page!  The Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC), powered by Autism Alliance of Michigan, is a grassroots, statewide group dedicated to student-centered advocacy. MiPAAC aims to educate and empower families of children with special education needs on topics crucial to their advocacy efforts, ensuring all […]

Autism Alliance provides public comment to the State Board of Education on the overuse of Alternate Assessments (April 8, 2025) Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment State Board of Education April 8, 2025 Good afternoon board members, Superintendent, and department staff.  My name is Jenna Friedman. I am a graduate student at Wayne State University,

Autism Alliance provides public comment to the State Board of Education on Michigan’s Annual State Application for Funds under IDEA Part B for FFY 2025  (April 8, 2025) Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment State Board of Education April 8, 2025 Read here: 2025.0408 Autism Alliance Public Comment_State Board of Ed_IDEA Application FFY25  Good afternoon

Love & Joy & Advocacy How do we meet the moment with collective action? There has been so much in motion over the past several weeks – to the point that – it has been all consuming just trying to stay on top of What’s happened now? As we’ve been describing it to reporters and

Endrew F. – Celebrating the 2017 unanimous, pro-child Supreme Court decision (March 22, 2017 >> March 22, 2025) Publication date: March 22, 2025 Key dates 1975:  Federal law enacted, now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) IDEA provides eligible students with a free appropriate public education (FAPE) through an individualized education program

MI education advocates: Trump moves to dismantle US Department of Education “alarming” (Michigan Public)  Publication date: March 21st, 2025 Read the article here: https://www.michiganpublic.org/education/2025-03-17/mi-education-advocates-trump-moves-to-dismantle-us-department-of-education-alarming SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Autism Alliance of Michigan was recently featured in a Michigan Public article highlighting growing concerns over the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education,

Autism Alliance applauds NCYL & COPAA in a lawsuit that challenges the Department of Education’s abdication of responsibility in processing civil rights investigations Publication date: March 17th, 2025 Read the lawsuit here: https://youthlaw.org/sites/default/files/attachments/2025-03/Carter%20v.%20USDOE.pdf SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Autism Alliance of Michigan applauds the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) and the Council of Parent Attorneys

Autism Alliance provides public comment to the State Board of Education on the Special Education Experience Survey (March 11, 2025) Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment State Board of Education March 11, 2025 Read here: 2025.0311 Autism Alliance Public Comment_State Board of Ed_Special Education Experience Survey Good afternoon board members, Superintendent, and department staff.  The

Meeting the Moment with Collective Action Stronger Together. Read the MiPAAC member communication here: https://mailchi.mp/aaomi/mipaac-us-dept-ed-meeting-moment-collective-action Based on an update from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights during an action call this morning (March 7), it is expected that the Trump administration will issue an Executive Order (EO) regarding the U.S. Department of Education (ED) today.

Autism Alliance response as Gov. Whitmer Announces Michigan’s High School Graduation Rate Reaches a Record High Publication date: February 24, 2025 Statement: Autism Alliance response as Gov. Whitmer Announces Michigan’s High School Graduation Rate Reaches a Record High SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) applauds the announcement by Gov. Whitmer regarding the

Autism Alliance provides public comment to the State Board of Education on the Special Education Experience Survey (February 11, 2025) Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment State Board of Education February 11, 2025 Read here: 2025.0211 Autism Alliance Public Comment_State Board of Ed_Special Education Experience Survey Good afternoon board members, Superintendent, and department staff.  My

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 UPDATE: This blog was picked up by The Education Trust (February 11, 2025) What Happens

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

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

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

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

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

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).

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