Parent/Staff Resources

Child Find and Children with Disabilities

The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education ACT, IDEA, requires schools to identify, local and evaluate children with disabilities.  Either schools or parents/guardians can request a special education evaluation for a child who is not yet eligible for special education.  If the school requests the evaluation, the school must contact the parent/guardian and request written consent (permission) to evaluate the child.  If you are a parent/guardian who wants to request an evaluation, send a written, signed and dated request asking the school to evaluate your child.

• If you are a parent/guardian living in Muskegon County and are concerned about your infant or toddler's development, contact the Administrative Assistant for Birth-Three Early Childhood Services at 231-767-7253.
• If you are a parent/guardian living in Muskegon County and have concerns about your preschooler or child in elementary, middle or high school, contact your local school district or public school academy Special Education Office.

The Preschool Through Grade 12 Special Education Process

Requesting an Initial Evaluation - an "initial" evaluation refers to the "first" time a child is evaluated for special education, when the child is not yet eligible for special education.  Either schools or parents/guardians can request that a child be evaluated to decide if the child is eligible (qualifies) for special education.

• Schools may request that a child be evaluated and must obtain parent/guardian written consent (permission) prior to conducting the evaluation.  Parents/guardians may either consent (give permission) or refuse to consent to have their child evaluated.  In either situation, the school is required to provide written notice to the parent of the decision.
• If the parent/guardian requests an evaluation for their child, the school may choose to conduct the evaluation if the parent consents or may choose to refuse to conduct the evaluation.  In either situation, the school provides a written notice to the parent of the decision.

Completing an Initial Evaluation - as a first step a team of qualified educators and the parent/guardian review evaluations that already exist, meaning evaluations that have already been completed with the child.  A completed Review of Existing Evaluation Data, known as the REED, contains the existing evaluation data, information about the special education evaluations that will be used with the child, and a section for parent/guardians to give or refuse consent (permission) for the evaluation.  Parents/guardians must be provided with their procedural safeguards (parents rights) at this time.  In Michigan, once parent/guardian consents is given for evaluation, the Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET), made up of qualified educators, conducts the evaluation and completes an Eligibility Recommendation (ER) form, which shows the evaluation results.  Copies of the completed ER form and all evaluation reports are given to the parent/guardian.

Holding the Initial Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team Meeting - the parent/guardian and qualified educators make up the IEP Team.  The IEP Team determines whether the child is eligible (qualifies) for special education.  If the child is eligible, the IEP Team then develops the programs and/or services the child needs to participate and make progress in the general education curriculum.  The child's programs and/or services are documented in the IEP.

Timelines - an initial IEP Team meeting must be held with 30 school days of the date of parent consent (permission) for evaluation for special education.  If the school needs a longer period of time to conduct the evaluation, the school may ask for more days to complete the evaluation and request that the parent give written consent to extend the 30 school day timeline.

Laws, Regulations, Rules

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, known as IDEA, is a federal law that requires schools throughout the nation to service children with disabilities who are eligible for special education and guide how the IDEA is carried out at the national, state and local levels.

 Under IDEA, parents and guardians are part of a school team that makes educational decisions about their children.  In each part of the special education process, parents have specific rights and protections that can be found in the Procedural Safeguards Notice.

The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education, known as the MARSE, are State of Michigan special education rules used in addition to IDEA, that guide how schools in Michigan are to carry out the special education process.

Local District and Public School Academy Special Education Office Contacts

If you have questions about the special education process, call your local district or public school academy special education contacts:

• Fruitport Community Schools - Greg Bodrie; 231-865-3188
• Holton Public Schools - Scott Green; 231-719-3143
• Mona Shores Public Schools - Jennifer Briggs-Russell; 231-780-4751
• Montague Area Public Schools - Scott Green; 231-719-3143
• Muskegon Covenant Academy - Amanda Acker; 616-678-1330
• Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change - Sarah VanderBaan; 231-785-8440
• Muskegon Heights Public School Academy System - Luis Gomez;
  231-830-3708
• Muskegon Public Schools - Christine Robertson; 231-720-2012
• North Muskegon Public Schools - Scott Green; 231-719-3143
• Oakridge Public Schools - Greg Bodrie; 231-865-3188
• Orchard View Schools - Greg Bodrie; 231-865-3188
• Ravenna Public Schools - Greg Bodrie; 231-865-3188
• Reeths-Puffer Schools - Scott Green; 231-719-3143
• Three Oaks Public School Academy - Sarah VanderBaan; 231-785-8440
• Timberland Charter Academy -  Lauren Eardley; 231-767-9700
• Whitehall District Schools - Alexa Baker; 231-893-1050, ext. 6010 

MAISD Plan for Special Education

Every intermediate school district (ISD) in Michigan is required to develop an ISD plan for special education.  These plans are to be developed in cooperation with constituent local school districts, public school academies and the ISD parent advisory committee.  The plans become effective when approved by the state superintendent. 

The description of what must be contained in an ISD plan can be found in Part 7 – Development and Submission of Intermediate School Districts’ Plans and Monitoring – of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE).  The MARSE also describes procedures for modifying plans, plan approval, and objections to plans in Part 7.

• The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education - MARSE

Organizations that Assist Parents & Guardians

Organization that Assist Children and Youth with Disabilities

Special Education Parent Advisory Committee
Telephone: 231-767-7251

Mediation and Restorative Services
Telephone: 231-727-6001

Michigan Department of Education
Director of Special Education
PO Box 30008
Lansing, MI  48909
Telephone:  1-888-320-8384

Disability Network West Michigan
Telephone: 1-231-722-0088

Arc Muskegon
Telephone:  1-231-777-2006

Michigan Alliance for Families
Telephone:  1-800-552-4821

Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service
Telephone:  1-800-288-5923

SERVICES FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

Department of Human Services
Telephone:  1-231-733-3700

Disability Network West Michigan
Telephone:  1-231-830-0099

Easter Seals Michigan
Telephone:  1-616-942-2081

Every Woman's Place
Telephone:  1-231-759-7909

Goodwill Industries of West Michigan
Telephone:  1-231-739-9010

HealthWest of Muskegon County
Telephone:  1-231-724-1111

Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) of Muskegon
Telephone:  1-231-722-2013

MOKA
Telephone:  1-231-830-9339

No More Sidelines
Telephone:  1-231-332-3849

Pioneer Resources
Telephone:  1-231-773-5355

Pioneer Resources - Pioneer Trail Camps
Telephone:  1-231-773-5355

Public Health - Muskegon County Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS)
Telephone:  1-231-724-6209

Social Security Administration
Telephone:  1-866-763-2632

Special Olympics
Telephone:  1-616-312-9906

For more information call the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, Special Education Office at 231-767-7251

Parent/Guardian Procedural Safeguards

The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, includes procedural safeguards that protect the rights of children and youth with disabilities and their parents/guardians.  Some of the rights in the procedural safeguards include the parent’s/guardian’s right to give or refuse permission (consent) to have their child evaluated, the right to receive written notice when the school proposes to change or refuses to change the identification, evaluation or placement of the child for special education and rights regarding school discipline of children who qualify for special education.  For all the rights contained in the procedural safeguards, go to the:

• MAISD Special Education Parent Handbook
• Procedural Safeguards

It is very important that parents, guardians and age of majority students have a clear understanding of their rights in special education.  For more information on rights/procedural safeguards, contact your local district Special Education Office or contact the MAISD Assistant Director for Special Education at 231-767-7251.

Problem-Solving and Dispute Resolution

Schools and parents/guardians are encouraged to communicate with each other as soon as possible when concerns or problems arise regarding special education.  The first step for parents/guardians is to contact the child’s teacher and/or principal, as well as the school’s special education administrator, so the problem can be solved at the school level.  Schools and parents may, early on, want to establish regular communication times for working through concerns or problems.

When the child’s educational team is needed to solve a problem, either the school or parent/guardian can request that an IEP Team meeting be held, especially if changes are needed in the IEP.  A neutral facilitator may be a helpful team participant in working with both school and parents to sort out a disagreement.  IEP Team meeting facilitators are available to parents/guardians and schools at no cost through the Special Education Mediation Services office at 833-543-7178 or by using their online request form. 

At times, parents/guardians may want a knowledgeable person to help them better understand the special education process and work through a disagreement with the school.  Parents are encouraged to contact a member of the MAISD’s Special Education Parent Advisory Committee to serve as an advisor.  Parents may also contact agencies for advocacy help, including The ARC Muskegon at 231-727-2006, Disability Network West Michigan at 231-722-0088 or the Michigan Alliance for Families at 1-800-552-4821.

Mediation is another important option to consider when resolving special education disputes.  Mediation provides a confidential setting for participants. During mediation, a neutral mediator assists the parties in exploring options and finding a mutually agreeable solution.  Any decision(s) regarding solutions must be agreed on by the two parties.  This mediation process is available to parents/guardians and schools at no cost through the Special Education Mediation Services office at 833-543-7178 or by using their online request form.

At any time during a disagreement or dispute with the school, parents/guardians have the right to file a formal state complaint or file a due process complaint. 

• A state complaint is a written, dated, and signed statement alleging that a school district or other public agency has violated a requirement of state special education rules or federal special education law.  For more information on state complaints and other ways to resolve disagreements, download the Michigan Department of Education’s document, Special Education Problem Solving Process or by contacting the MAISD Special Education Department
  at 231-767-7251.
• A due process complaint can be filed by the school or parents/guardians use to resolve a disagreement about the identification, evaluation, eligibility, educational placement, manifestation determination or the provision of a free appropriate public education of a child who is eligible for special education.  For more information on due process complaints, download the Michigan Department of Education’s document, Special Education Due Process Complaint Procedures.

Additional Information about state and due process complaints is available at the Michigan Department of Education's Dispute Resolution Options webpage.​​​​​​​

Response to Intervention (RTI)

 Patterns of Strengths and Weaknesses

Special Education Data

 Data and information about IDEA Public Reporting is available on the MI School Data site.

Special Education Information Links

BuildUp Michigan - Michigan Kids, Kindergarten Ready

Center for Parent Information and Resources

College Resources for Students with Visual Impairments

Disability Rights Michigan

FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education

Michigan Department of Education Parent Engagement Toolkit

Special Education Mediation Services

Understood - For Learning and Attention Issues

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

U.S. Department of Education, Resources for Parents of Children with Disabilities

Special Education Parent Advisory Committee

Part 7 of the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) requires each intermediate school district to have a parent advisory committee.  The MAISD's parent advisory committee is the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee, known as the SEPAC.

SEPAC Mission
The SEPAC strives to represent the interests and concerns of students with special needs and their parents.  It also strives to promote partnerships among parents, students, the local school district and the MAISD by facilitating communication and cooperation.

SEPAC Membership
The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education requires the SEPAC to be composed of parents or guardians of children and youth with disabilities who have a current Individualized Education Program (IEP).  Members are nominated by local district and public school academy boards of education and appointed by the MAISD Board of Education for two-year terms.

SEPAC Activities

• SEPAC members represent their local school district or public school academy and serve in an advisory capacity to parents and schools.  Parents of children and youth with disabilities can contact a SEPAC member when they have questions or concerns.  Training in the special education process and in how to advise parents/guardians is provided.
• SEPAC members may participate in special projects, such as participation in a local resource fair or creating information materials for parents/guardians.
• SEPAC members may serve as surrogate parents as outlined in federal and state special education regulations and rules.
• The Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education requires the SEPAC to serve as a formal mechanism for parent input into the ISD Plan for the Delivery of Special Education Programs and Services.

For more information about the SEPAC contact the MAISD Assistant Director of Special Education at 231-767-7251.