July 14, 2003

MEMORANDUM

TO: Michigan Special Education Stakeholders

FROM: Jacquelyn J. Thompson, Ph.D., Director Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services

SUBJECT: New publications

Moving forward with new accountability systems and an increased focus on student outcomes brings new approaches to information dissemination. For the implementation and delivery of statutory and regulatory requirements in special education and early intervention services for students with disabilities, the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services (OSE/EIS) is publishing a new series of guidance and technical assistance documents called FOCUS on Results. This series will keep stakeholders up to date on: changes in rules and regulations; dispute resolution; individualized education programs (IEPs) and individualized family service plans (IFSPs); assessment, accommodations, and alternate assessment; data and focused monitoring; and other relevant topics. We will publish FOCUS on Results at least three times a year.

The first three FOCUS on Results documents are included in this mailing. We encourage you to share your copy with colleagues (staff, parents, advocates, etc.)—make as many copies as you like, or refer colleagues to the MDE website, www.michigan.gov/mde or the Center for Educational Networking (CEN) Web site, www.cenmi.org where they can download electronic copies.

With an “All Together Now” approach to student achievement, we have joined our general education colleagues in the development and dissemination of the new Leading Change, a publication of the Michigan Department of Education (see list on reverse side for a product description). Both publications are produced and distributed by CEN, a state discretionary project awarded by the State Board of Education to the Eaton Intermediate School District.

As a cost-effective measure, we are printing a limited number of the FOCUS on Results and Leading Change publications. We invite you to subscribe to the electronic versions. To take advantage of this option, please go to www.cenmi.org and select “subscribe to e-publications.” E-subscribers will receive e-mail notification of the availability of new issues which they can download from the MDE website, www.michigan.gov/mde or the CEN Web site, www.cenmi.org.

The list on the reverse side also describes additional resources that are available to help with continuous improvement in the education of all students. Please share this information broadly. Thank you for your continued efforts and good work on behalf of all of Michigan’s students!!

Attachment (reverse side)

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