Michigan parents push for special ed accountability
Over 75 advocates attended a state committee meeting in Saginaw to demand stricter enforcement of disability rights and improved funding formulas.
By Meera Fletcher ·
More than 75 parents, advocates, and educators gathered in Saginaw on Monday for the first public meeting outside of Lansing held by the State Board of Education’s Special Education Committee. The group was formed in June to identify methods for improving services for students with disabilities. Attendees focused on three primary issues: the adequacy of specialized services, communication breakdowns between families and local districts, and student discipline practices.
State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh, a Democrat from Saginaw, opened the session by acknowledging the difficulty of the current situation. She told the audience, “We acknowledge that we are in a tough place. We acknowledge that we do not have all the answers.” Pugh noted that the board set out to hear from parents even without a clear direction for the process.
The committee’s work follows a period of heightened scrutiny regarding the state’s special education system. In 2025, a review of state records showed that investigations stemming from parent complaints increased by 21% since 2018. During the same period, the total population of special education students rose by only 3.6%. Advocates have long argued that this trend indicates a system stacked against families. Kourtney Sabourin, a parent of an 11-year-old with autism, told Bridge that she has filed four state complaints. She stated that districts view state investigations as minor penalties, noting that “they’re not afraid of anything and students continue to suffer.”
Parent Terricina Jackson, who has a 9-year-old son with autism, expressed skepticism about the committee's ability to enforce change. She said she hopes the state holds administrators and districts responsible for violations of children’s rights and the implementation of individualized education programs. Jackson described the meeting as a photo opportunity, stating that while families need to be heard, she has not seen actual implementation occur in five years.
During the meeting, attendees participated in small group discussions that were recorded using artificial intelligence tools. The state intends to compile responses from multiple sessions to inform its recommendations. One group focused on the need for one-on-one paraprofessionals and changes to state teacher credentials. Jennifer Gruesbeck of Saginaw township argued that parents should not have to reach a breaking point to secure basic services for their children.
Carrie Dickerson, a parent and advocate, traveled two hours to attend the session. She noted that while travel efforts are appreciated, many families face barriers such as work schedules, caregiving duties, and transportation challenges. The committee plans to hold future meetings in Oakland, Grand Traverse, and Marquette counties, along with virtual sessions, though specific dates have not yet been released.
The meeting took place while the Michigan Department of Education analyzes public comment on proposed rule changes. One contentious proposal involves scrapping the “stay put” provision. This rule currently requires students to remain in their current educational placement while a complaint is investigated. The department argues that the provision applies to legal proceedings rather than administrative investigations and has only been invoked once in 47 years. The Autism Alliance of Michigan and other advocacy groups oppose the change.
State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko attended the Saginaw meeting. He noted that since beginning a listening tour in February, special education has been the top concern raised by the public. Maleyko described the area as one of the more challenging aspects of education, emphasizing the need for collaborative work.
The state currently reimburses local districts for a percentage of special education service and transportation costs. This is in addition to a per-pupil foundation allowance from the School Aid Fund. Last year, advocates labeled the current funding system as inequitable. There were 226,800 students receiving special education services in Michigan public, private, or homeschool settings last school year. The state continues to face high teacher shortages, and Michigan had one of the nation’s highest rates of special education dropouts as of last year.
