Office of Special Education New and/or Updated Guidance Release

The new or updated guidance documents listed below are available as of today, October 17, 2025, on the MDE webpage:

Specially Designed Instruction

This new guidance document provides direction on the requirements for Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) to support Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams in developing effective IEPs. SDI is a critical element in ensuring a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) for students with disabilities while supporting their progress in the general education curriculum within the least restrictive environment (LRE). 

The document outlines:

• Core components for documenting SDI within the IEP.

• Clarification of who is qualified to provide SDI.

• The distinction between SDI and Differentiated Instruction (DI).

It also reinforces the importance of SDI in ensuring compliance and providing meaningful, individualized support.

View the Specially Designed Instruction Guidance

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IEP Development and Implementation: Supplementary Aids and Services

IEP Development and Implementation: Supplementary Aids and Services is a new guidance document to assist individualized education program (IEP) Teams in developing and implementing IEPs.  The goal of this document is to clarify and create a more consistent understanding of what supplementary aids and services are and how they are used to support placement of a student with a disability in the least restrictive environment (LRE).

View the Supplementary Aids and Services Guidance

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Understanding the Requirements of Prior Written Notice

The Understanding the Requirements of Prior Written Notice Guidance updates 2017 guidance regarding notice which much must be given to the parent by a district to explain an action the district wants to take, or is refusing to take, with a student who has a disability or is suspected of having a disability. Notice provides the reason(s) that the district is proposing or refusing an activity.

View the Prior Written Notice Guidance

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Preschool in the Least Restrictive Environment

The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education is releasing Preschool in the Least Restrictive Environment Guidance. This document is focused on children in preschool to ensure Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams are aware of the following:

• The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) requirements and how they apply to preschool.

• What a preschool continuum may look like and how placement decisions should be made.

View the Preschool LRE Guidance

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For questions about these documents or other special education issues, please contact the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education at mde-ose@michigan.gov or 888-320-8384.