Bridge Michigan

Michigan special education advocates say a proposed change in state rules could cause learning disruptions for children with disabilities. Currently, when a parent or guardian files a special education complaint with the state, the Michigan Department of Education can require that the student remain in their current classroom or specialized program while it investigates. The department wants to strike this so-called “stay put” provision, arguing that it applies to legal proceedings rather than departmental investigations and that it has only been invoked once in the 47-year history of the state complaint process. It says the change aligns with federal disability law.

Advocates like Heather Eckner, director of statewide education at the Autism Alliance of Michigan, say the state should retain that option because removing a child from their educational setting while the state investigates could cause the student to lose instructional time and lead to “behavioral or emotional regression.” “You should be looking at how to enforce this, not remove it,” Eckner told Bridge.