There are many laws and rules that relate to the education for students with disabilities.
State level:
- Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education The MARSE are the implementing rules for federal and state law for special education in Michigan.
- Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Special Education Laws and Policies Find documents related to Michigan education laws and policy.
- Michigan’s Part C State Plan and click here to read Michigan’s Part B State Performance Plan.
- Procedural Safeguards Procedural safeguards are the rights and protections available under IDEA.
- Procedural Safeguards Fact Sheet (Arabic Fact Sheet, Spanish Fact Sheet) Family Matters MDE
Federal level:
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a civil rights law ensuring children with disabilities the right to be educated. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.
- Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21) receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the main federal law that funds education. The law includes accountability standards, college/career readiness goals to improve education outcomes for all students regardless of race, income, background, or where they live. ESSA supports standards-based education reform, which is based on the belief that setting high standards and establishing measurable goals can improve individual outcomes in education. The Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools.
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities, public or private, that receive federal financial assistance.
- Online OCR Complaint Form
- Case Processing Manual provides OCR with the procedures to promptly and effectively investigate and resolve complaints, compliance reviews and directed investigations to ensure compliance with the civil rights laws enforced by OCR.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a wide-ranging civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability.
- The Rehabilitation Act is the Federal legislation that authorizes the programs of vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, independent living, and client assistance.
- Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act aims to increase the quality of technical education within the United States in order to help the economy.
- Olmstead Decision is a Supreme Court ruling that says under ADA people with disabilities have a qualified right to receive state funded supports and services in the community rather than institutions.
Looking for more information on the law? Help is available from these organizations.
Michigan Resources
- Disability Rights Michigan
- Michigan Department of Civil Rights
- Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council (DD Council)
- Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
- Michigan Legal Help
- State Bar of Michigan: Pro Bono
- State Bar of Michigan: Lawyer Referral Service
- Student Advocacy Center of Michigan
- U. S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights for Michigan
- University of Michigan – Michigan Law’s Pro Bono Program
- Yellow Pages for Kids Wrightslaw
Nationwide Resources
- Guidelines for Choosing an Advocate– Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
- Guidelines for Choosing an Attorney– Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
- Ed.gov: Office of Civil Rights
- National Disability Rights Network
