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RE: Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request—State and Local Educational Agency Recordkeeping and Reporting Under IDEA Part B [Docket No.: ED-2025-SCC-0976] Submitted via online: https://www.regulations.gov/search?filter=ED-2025-SCC-0976  Dear Mr. Santy: On behalf of the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), we appreciate the opportunity to submit comments on the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services’ (OSERS) notice […]

Underfunded Special Education Has Real Consequences Public News Service | MI special-ed funding gaps linked to ‘school-to-justice’ pipeline by Chrystal Blair – Producer Jan 21, 2026 Advocates say one of the strongest predictors of whether a child ends up in Michigan’s juvenile justice system starts in underfunded special-education classrooms, where support is stretched thin. A

 January is Social Determinants of Health Month in Michigan — and we’re lifting up how education policy is health policy. Through our Autism Alliance of Michigan strategic initiatives (https://autismallianceofmichigan.org/education-initiatives/), we co-created the Progressive Outcomes Scale Logic Model (POSLM) toward Advancing Change in Education Systems, by centering community voice at the intersection of race and disability. In partnering

Michigan Advance | Commentary –  New year, new priorities: It’s time to fix Michigan’s special education funding by Alexandra Stamm January 13, 2026 A fresh year is the time to reflect on the one before, let go of the status quo and embrace new habits. As Michiganders set their intentions for 2026, the state Legislature

By: Heather Eckner, Director of Statewide Education, Autism Alliance of Michigan January 19, 2026 Hope is Not an Accident Today, the Autism Alliance of Michigan is closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I am using this pause not as a break from the work, but as a moment to reflect on

Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment State Board of Education December 9, 2025 Read here: 2025.1209 Autism Alliance Public Comment_Special Education Benchmark Report and Finance Reform Good afternoon Board members, Superintendent Maleyko, and Department staff. My name is Heather Eckner and I serve as the statewide director of education for the Autism Alliance of Michigan.

Findings reveal uneven access and outcomes across Michigan’s special education system and establish a baseline for long-term progress. December 3, 2025 LANSING, Mich. — The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) today released the 2025 Michigan Special Education Benchmark Report, the first statewide analysis of how Michigan’s public education system is serving students with disabilities. The

Special Education Day 50th Anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Publication date: December 2, 2025 Governor Whitmer proclaims December 2nd Special Education in Michigan (2025) 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).

AAoM and MiPAAC — Honoring the Legacy and Impact of IDEA at 50 November 29, 2025 Today marks 50 years since President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act — the landmark law that later became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).   A Legacy We Must Protect and Strengthen  Before

Advocacy in Action: holding systems accountable 2025.1128 AAoM Public Comment on Michigan One Percent Alternate Assessment Waiver AAoM submitted public comments via the Online Survey link provided on the MDE site (1% Participation Cap on Alternate Assessment: Information and Justification Forms), per its stated process. AAoM also submitted our organization’s comments via email (MDE-OSE-Public-Comment@Michigan.gov ) as

A Call to Action — Celebrating IDEA’s 50th Anniversary by Driving Change This is post #5 in the MiPAAC: Reimagining Special Education Series Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? Join MiPAAC! mipaac.org/join-mipaac November 28, 2025 This year marks 50 years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — a

From Awareness to Action — How Families, Advocates, and Educators Can Drive Change Together This is post #4 in the MiPAAC: Reimagining Special Education Series Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? Join MiPAAC! mipaac.org/join-mipaac November 27, 2025 Over the past few posts, we’ve explored why good intentions aren’t enough, why

What Effective Systems Change Looks Like — and How Michigan Can Get There This is post #3 in the MiPAAC: Reimagining Special Education Series Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? Join MiPAAC! mipaac.org/join-mipaac November 26, 2025 In our last post, we explored why support alone isn’t enough in special education.

Why Systems Change — and What Makes It Effective This is post #2 in the MiPAAC: Reimagining Special Education Series Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? Join MiPAAC! mipaac.org/join-mipaac November 25, 2025 In yesterday’s post, we shared why true allyship in special education requires more than good intentions — it

Effective Allies in Special Education Don’t Just Offer Support — They Change Systems This is our first post in the MiPAAC: Reimagining Special Education Series Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? Join MiPAAC! mipaac.org/join-mipaac November 24, 2025 In school systems, we often talk about “supporting families,” “helping students,” and “advocating

Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment Angela Scott, Chief Data Officer: National Assessment Governing Board Submitted via email: Angela.Scott@ed.gov November 13, 2025 Read here: Autism Alliance of Michigan Makes Public Comment on NAEP Agenda for November Meeting RE: Public Comment on National Assessment Governing Board Committee and Quarterly Board Meetings (Federal Register Document 2025–19704) Dear Ms.

Are you a parent, advocate, or attorney dedicated to student-centered advocacy? Join MiPAAC! mipaac.org/join-mipaac This month marks five years since the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) was founded—five years of building community, amplifying voices, and advancing systems change to ensure equitable education for all students with disabilities across Michigan. What began as a

Developed under legislative direction, the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint offers a Michigan-made roadmap for fair, transparent, and needs-based funding that better supports students with disabilities. LANSING, Mich. — October 30, 2025. Michigan’s special education system has long been underfunded and inequitable, leaving students with disabilities and their schools without the resources they need.

One Year Later – Reflections on the SEE Survey & Advocacy Priorities Elevating lived experience, identifying system barriers, and amplifying voices of parents & students with disabilities Special Education Experience (SEE) Survey: Report to the Community On October 24, 2024, the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) released the Statewide Special Education Experience (SEE) Survey: Report

Autism Alliance of Michigan Public Comment State Board of Education October 14, 2025 Read here: 2025.1014 Autism Alliance Public Comment_State Board of Ed_MI Blueprint Modernizing Special Education Finance Through the MI Blueprint:  An Imperative for Michigan Good afternoon, Board members, Interim Superintendent, and Department staff.  I’m Heather Eckner, and I serve as the statewide director