Office of Special Education New and/or Updated Guidance Release

Office of Special Education New and/or Updated Guidance Release

The new or updated guidance documents listed below are available as of today, February 6, 2026, on the MDE webpage:

Counseling as a Related Service

This document describes when counseling can be used as a related services as well as the difference between school social work and counseling services.

Counseling as a Related Service Guidance

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Frequently Asked Questions for Successfully Navigating Virtual Education for Students with Disabilities

This document addresses Frequently Asked Questions regarding Virtual Education for Students with Disabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions for Successfully Navigating Virtual Education for Students with Disabilities

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IEP Team Roles and Responsibilities Guidance

This guidance provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team participants. This document aims to support compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which requires IEPs to be developed collaboratively by school personnel and families to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team Roles and Responsibilities

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Measurable Goals and Short-Term Objectives

This updated document is specific to procedural compliance for measurable annual goals and short-term objectives.

Measurable Annual Goals and Short-Term Objectives

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Measurable Goals and Short-Term Objectives Substantive Compliance for Writing Rigorous Achievable Goals

This updated document serves as a supplement to the original procedural-based Measurable Annual Goals and Short-Term Objectives document. This document supports substantive compliance in developing goals for the purposes of educational benefit. Individualized Education Program (IEP) Teams must ensure all students, including students with disabilities, are held to rigorous academic standards, high expectations, and have meaningful access to the state’s academic content standards.

Measurable Annual Goals and Short-Term Objectives—Substantive Compliance for Writing Rigorous Achievable Goals

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Successfully Navigating Virtual Education for Students with Individualized Education Programs

The purpose of this document is to ensure the rights of students with disabilities who participate in virtual learning options are protected by educating those involved in the construction of the IEP as they navigate Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Lease Restrictive Environment through the lens of virtual education.

Successfully Navigating Virtual Education for Students with Individualized Education Programs

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Understanding the Requirements of Prior Written Notice

This document was updated to address notice requirements when the district initiates the disenrollment of a student who has been receiving special education programs and services.

Understanding the Requirements of Prior Written Notice

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.