Michigan must overhaul ‘inequitable’ way it funds special education, a report finds

Undated - A report presented to Michigan lawmakers this week says the quality of special education services in the state can depend on where the student lives. The report says Michigan needs to reform the way it funds special education, saying the current model is inadequate, inequitable and fails to meet students' needs. The report by The Autism Alliance of Michigan and a regional educational service agency says the state's reimbursement model is tied to local property wealth. Schools in lower-income areas do not receive as much funding per student as those in higher-income areas. The report recommends the state increase its special education funding by $1.28 billion to $4.55 billion per year.