GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The U.S. Department of Education says Michigan is the only state in the nation that has failed to meet federal special education requirements and that it needs intervention.
“Michigan now is in this category called ‘needs improvement’ and it is the lowest category that any state currently has and Michigan is the sole state in the category…" said Lilly Schulting, the parent of a son with autism and an activist for special education who is running for the state school board. “We’ve now reached a major low, which is unusual because Michigan at one time was a leader in special education.”
A 300-page report (PDF) says Michigan failed to reach standards on drop-out and graduation rates. Failure to improve for three years in a row could mean a federally-imposed solution.