Special Education Compliance
Federal and State of Michigan Rules and Regulations
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
State and federal laws say that all children with disabilities have a right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Special education includes classroom programs and other types of services that are designed especially for children with various types of disabilities. In Michigan, special education services shall be provided to eligible students from BIRTH through age 25, or until graduation from high school.
There are six main principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). They include
- Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
- Appropriate Evaluation (to determine Eligibility)
- Individual Education Program (IEP)
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
- Parent & Student participation in decision making
- Procedural Safeguards (also known as Due Process)
More information can be found here with this fact sheet.
Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) The MARSE are the implementing rules for federal and state law for special education in Michigan.
Procedural Safeguards and Procedural Safeguards Fact Sheet from Family Matters
Dispute Resolution Options - MDE
Compliance Monitoring
Catamaran is the electronic system used to track activities and data related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) for the Michigan Department of Education Offices of Special Education (OSE) and Great Start. Catamaran is designed to support districts and service areas in meeting their obligations of the IDEA, MARSE, and state identified priorities. Catamaran is an external system managed by the OSE.
Catamaran was designed to help locals analyze and interpret data and keep track of all monitoring activities in a single location. Catamaran reflects the priorities of the IDEA 2004 and the State Performance Plan (SPP) and is aligned with the School Improvement Framework.
Catamaran’s goal is to ensure that students and children with disabilities are prepared to live independent and productive lives is the ultimate goal of all the activities monitored by the Michigan Department of Education Offices of Special Education (OSE) and the Early Childhood Development and Family Education.
Visit Catamaran for more information.