Spartan Newsroom

Michigan spends about $2.8 billion annually on special education, yet outcomes for students with disabilities remain uneven and among the lowest in the nation, according to a recent benchmark report from the Autism Alliance of Michigan. Advocates say improving inclusion and support systems is key to closing those gaps. “Just having students in the general education setting is not the only step,” said Heather Eckner, the director of statewide education for the Southfield-based alliance. “That’s step one. The other steps are providing the support so they can actually access that education,” she said.

Under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, public schools are expected to educate most students with disabilities in general classrooms for at least 80% of the school day when appropriate. Michigan is close to that goal, Eckner said, but outcomes such as graduation rates and dropout rates remain concerning. “We’re close to the aim of the federal law,” she said. “However, our outcomes for students with IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) remain among the lowest in the nation.” In Michigan, students with disabilities drop out at more than twice the rate of their peers, according to the report.