Pre K - 12 & PSRP Public Education Issues Platform

Strong Special Education Programs

The Issue

Michigan has some of the strongest and most effective rules and regulations for special education in the nation. These rules and regulations must not be weakened as they directly impact the ability of a special education teacher and paraprofessional to educate and the ability of a special education child to learn.

Unfortunately, special education does not receive the necessary funding to adequately satisfy the needs. This shortage of funds not only affects our special education children, but also our general education students. Often money is drawn from funds earmarked for general education and used to make up the special education shortfalls. It would seem evident this practice diminishes both.

Action Steps

We urge elected officials to:

• Standards: Make sure Michigan's special education rules and regulations are not weakened;


• Funding: Provide the funds necessary to educate our special education children, thus avoiding the use of general education funds to make up shortfalls;


• Federal Responsibilities: Ensure the federal government makes good on promises of special education funding.

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