OSE New ISD Directors of Special Education Welcome Toolkit – Videos and Resources
The Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education (OSE) is responsible for the general supervision, administration, and funding of special education programs and services for children and youth with disabilities ages 3 through 25. A free appropriate public education (FAPE) is provided to eligible children according to federal and state laws, regulations, administrative rules, and department procedures.
This compilation of online videos and resources includes information from Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant Funded Initiatives and additional offices or programs that work in partnership with the MDE and/or the IDEA Grant Funded Initiatives.
OSE New ISD Directors of Special Education Welcome Toolkit Document
The OSE New ISD Directors of Special Education Welcome Toolkit Document is an accompaniment to the New ISD Directors of Special Education videos available on this page. This document will provide access to information referenced in the videos. Links to the videos are also provided in this document.
Inside the OSE
The OSE has several units to handle its general supervision responsibilities: Administration, Program Accountability, Program Finance, and Performance Reporting. The OSE is also responsible for the Low Incidence Outreach program and the Michigan School for the Deaf.
Administration Unit Videos
The Administration Unit provides leadership to and oversight of the office and ensures compliance with all federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements. The unit reports and responds to the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent, the Chief Deputy Superintendent, and the Deputy Superintendent.
- Dr. Scott M. Koenigsknecht, MDE Deputy Superintendent, P-20 System and Student Transitions, Welcome New ISD Directors of Special Education (Recorded September 2020)
- Teri L. Rink, Ed.S., Director, Office of Special Education, Welcome New ISD Directors of Special Education – Office of Special Education Overview (Recorded September 2020)
- Michigan School for the Deaf: The Michigan School for the Deaf (MSD) is a public residential school in Flint for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) and was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1848. Students are referred to the school by their local school district and placement is determined by an IEP team. Students who attend the MSD receive a unique combination of services and intense exposure to two languages, American Sign Language (ASL) and English, as well as academic and residential support services. (Recorded September 2020)
- OSE Program Accountability: The Program Accountability Unit develops and implements special education policy. Policy is developed to align with—and clarify—federal and state requirements. The unit also administers the state and due process complaint processes. (Recorded September 2020)
- OSE Program Finance: The Program Finance Unit provides oversight for state aid and federal funding structures for special education programs and services. The unit ensures that federal grants and state aid reimbursements are effectively administered. (Recorded September 2020)
- OSE Performance Reporting: The Performance Reporting Unit coordinates the collection, verification, analysis, and reporting of special education student and personnel data for required federal and state reports. The unit also coordinates and provides technical assistance to districts and other stakeholder groups to ensure compliance with federal and state requirements and to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. (Recorded September 2020)
IDEA Grant Funded Initiatives, Partners, and Other State of Michigan Offices Videos
The IDEA requires state education agencies to have in place effective general supervision systems that provide information dissemination; training and technical assistance; personnel development for administrators, teachers, related service providers, parents, and others regarding research, evidence-based practices, and requirements of law. The IDEA authorizes use of funds for these provisions under Section 1411(e)(2)(C)(i) and (v).
- Teri L. Rink, Ed.S., Director, Office of Special Education, New ISD Directors of Special Education – IDEA Grant Funded Initiatives Overview (Recorded September 2020)
- Alt+Shift – New ISD Directors of Special Education: Alt+Shift collaborates with districts and buildings to create and sustain accessible educational environments that have a direct and positive impact on every student. The Alt+Shift also provides a Lending Library that contains assistive technology equipment and software that is available to Michigan’s PK-12 public schools for short-term use. (Recorded September 2020)
- Build Up Michigan – New ISD Directors of Special Education: Build Up Michigan helps parents and their children, ages 3 through 5, get additional educational support as they begin and continue to learn the skills needed to enter kindergarten. Build Up Michigan partners with the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education to provide child find efforts through targeted outreach efforts. (Recorded September 2020)
- Michigan Alliance for Families – New ISD Directors of Special Education: The Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF) provides statewide information, support, and educational learning opportunities for families who have children and young adults (birth to 26 years of age) who receive (or may be eligible to receive) special education services. MAF provides services to all families, with an emphasis on assisting families/students from underserved populations. The Michigan Alliance for Families is also Michigan’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. (Recorded September 2020)
- Michigan Department of Education, Family Matters – New ISD Directors of Special Education: Family Matters fact sheets explain special education laws and practices. The documents are easy to read and give links to more in-depth resources. Family Matters fact sheets are intended to enhance public understanding of Michigan’s special education system and are not a substitute for official laws and regulations. Family Matters is an outreach effort from the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education (MDE OSE). (Recorded September 2020)
- Michigan Department of Education, Low Incidence Outreach – New ISD Directors of Special Education: The Michigan Department of Education – Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO) provides consultation, guidance, training, and resources to families and educational teams serving students who are Blind or Visually Impaired (BVI) and/or Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH). (Recorded September 2020)
- Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Support Technical Assistance Center – New ISD Directors of Special Education: Michigan’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports Technical Assistance Center (MiMTSS TAC) partners with ISDs and local member school districts throughout the state of Michigan to help implement and sustain a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) with proven practices that improve behavioral and academic outcomes for students. (Recorded September 2020)
- Special Education Mediation Services – New ISD Directors of Special Education: Special Education Mediation Services (SEMS) helps students by fostering cooperation and effective teamwork among those who plan their education. The overall goal is Working Together for Student Achievement in Michigan to help students, parents and educators make decisions that improve education outcomes. SEMS provides services including Mediation, Facilitation, and Training. (Recorded September 2020)
- Statewide Autism Resources and Training Project – New ISD Directors of Special Education: The START Project provides evidence-based training, technical assistance, and coaching support, and resources to school-based teams in Michigan that support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). START is a statewide collaborative effort to make systems-level changes to improve the educational programming and quality of life for students with ASD. (Updated August 2021)
- Ashley Reed, Executive Assistant to Teri L. Rink, Director MDE-OSE, Thank You and Additional Resources – New ISD Directors of Special Education (Recorded September 2020)
