IDEA Partnership - Partner Organizations

Who Are the Partners: The Reach and Teach for Learning core sponsors include:

The mission of the AFT Michigan is to advance the interest of our members (K-12 teachers and support staff, higher education, and public employees) and the institutions for which they work.

The mission of MAASE is to provide leadership for the development and implementation of quality programs and services for students with disabilities within the total education community.

Mission Statement: The MASSP is committed to the improvement of secondary education in the State of Michigan (middle level, high school, and vocational centers). In pursuit of this commitment, the association shall provide leadership, research and services; promote standards of excellence; and work with other professional associations in search of solutions to problems. In addition, MASSP will work with the governor's office, legislature, and State Department of Education to improve education for students, and improve the status and welfare of MASSP members.

MASSP members are secondary administrators, (principals, assistant principals, directors, etc.) at middle schools, high schools, alternative schools, and career technical centers.

The mission of the MEA is to ensure that the education of our students and the working environments of our members are of the highest quality. The MEA is a self-governing education association, representing more than 157,000 teachers, faculty, and education support staff throughout the state.

Through collective action, MEA is dedicated to the purpose of serving our members' employment goals, interests and needs, while advocating for quality public education. By so doing, MEA is committed to creating and maintaining an effective education system that:

Supports the development of successful, empowered students
Advances the principles of democracy, human and civil rights
Meets the needs of our global society
Improves the quality of life for all

Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association
Reach and Teach for Learning Contact: Gary Garland

The National Association of State Directors of Special Education, through and IDEA Partnership grant to the Michigan Department of Education

Additional Partners

The American School Health Association unites the many professionals working in schools who are committed to safeguarding the health of school-aged children. The Association is a multidisciplinary organization of administrators, counselors, health educators, physical educators, psychologists, school health coordinators, school nurses, school physicians, and social workers. Its mission is to protect and promote the health and well-being of children and youth through coordinated school health programs as a foundation for school success.

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development is an international professional organization for all educators. Its mission is: ASCD, a community of educators, advocating sound policies and sharing best practices to achieve the success of each learner. The organization produces a monthly magazine, a variety of professional books, other publications and professional development materials, an annual conference and training workshops on many different topics related to curriculum, instruction and assessment of student learning from pre-school through adult learners.

The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents 160,000 educators from more than 135 countries and more than 60 affiliates. Members span the entire profession of educators—superintendents, supervisors, principals, teachers, professors of education, and school board members.

The Center for Educational Networking (CEN) is a statewide education information network offering products and services through a variety of print and electronic media. CEN is a mandated activities project of the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services.

CEN responds to the information needs of families, educators, community services providers, and others across Michigan who have a vested interest in the education of individuals with disabilities. CEN staff produces and disseminates newsletters, brochures, directories, and other publications, documents, and products for the MDE and other mandated activities projects.

Evaluation Activities:
Qualitative Compliance Information Project (Early On Evaluation):
This project, ongoing since 1993, provides evaluation of the Early On System (Part C of the IDEA) in Michigan. The project provides formative feedback to State and local level stakeholders regarding the progress of Early On, and provides long-term assessment of the impact of Early On on families and the service system. The findings of the project are also used to respond to the federal information requirements.

Evaluation Research Unit of the Center for Urban Studies:
The Evaluation Research Unit provides services that range from complete evaluation design and implementation of large multi-site, multi-year evaluations to providing consultation or coaching to organizations preferring to build their internal evaluation capacity. Recent research partners include: The Skillman Foundation, Detroit Health Department, 36th District Court, U.S. Department of Education, Detroit Public Schools, and the WSU College of Education.

Citizens Alliance To Uphold Special Education (CAUSE) is the Parent Training Information Center for the State of Michigan. CAUSE is a statewide non-profit coalition providing free information, referral, support, advocacy, and workshops to parents and professionals working with children with disabilities and special needs.

The MDE, OSE/EIS has implemented a new monitoring and quality assurance system with a focus on improving educational results for Michigan students with disabilities. CIMS is used by local educational agencies, public school academies, state schools (e.g. the Michigan Schools for the Deaf), state agencies (e.g. Community Mental Health), and Part C (early intervention) Service Areas.

CIMS balances the need for continuous procedural compliance with a focus on improving student and child/family results and outcomes. The goal of the CIMS is to have districts and agencies better understand the operation and effectiveness of programs for students with disabilities and develop plans for targeted use of their resources.

In concept, a system that once focused upon compliance with rules now focuses on program effectiveness and student results. In practice, a system that previously depended upon cyclical MDE monitoring activities now involves collaboration between school districts, agencies and Service Areas, and the MDE in a new quality improvement monitoring process.

Detroit Parent Network (DPN) is a premier parent organization that transforms parents to make Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park areas a better place to raise and educate children. Our mission is to develop powerful parents and primary caregivers who are equipped to get the best education possible for their children. DPN is designed to be responsive to parents' interests and needs. We encourage parents to be a part of the organization, to lead the organization and to make it work for themselves and other parents.

EOT&TA provides the comprehensive system of personnel development mandated by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act (IDEA), known as Early On® Michigan, through the provision of training and technical assistance to interagency providers of early intervention services. Statewide Trainers and Technical Assistance Specialists assist providers in enhancing their qualifications and demonstrating their competencies in the delivery of services. EOT&TA supports local interagency coordinating councils (LICC) in developing leadership skills, service area plans, and improvement plans that address the needs of infants and toddlers, birth to three with special needs and their families. EOT&TA also provides well-trained Record Reviewers to assist the MDE with the service area System Review process.

LDA of Michigan is a state affiliate of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, a non-profit volunteer organization advocating for individuals with learning disabilities. Members are individuals with learning disabilities, family members, concerned professionals, and advocates. The mission LDA of Michigan is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with learning disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, training and support of research.

The Mathematics AYP Study group works to identify and address barriers to enhancing student performance in mathematics. The project works to support priority schools that failed to make AYP in the area of mathematics due to the special education subgroup. The project is focused on the following areas in its work with the targeted schools:

The analysis of building and student assessment data
Developing and implementing content knowledge within a curriculum
Use of effective practices to improve instruction
Examining building practices, schedules, and procedures for instructional delivery
Creating and implementing building action plans

MATR is an IDEA Mandated Activities Project awarded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services. MATR is a comprehensive support center that provides information services, support materials, technical assistance, and training to local and intermediate school districts in Michigan. The goal of MATR is to increase the capacity of districts to address the needs of students with disabilities for assistive technology. Specific services provided by MATR include:

Training and materials resources
Educational in-services and training opportunities
Lending library for trial use with students
Telephone and e-mail support
Demonstrations of assistive technology software, devices, and equipment

Michigan ASCD is an organization of diverse educators committed to excellence in teaching and learning—leading the educational community by initiating, influencing and advocating equity and success or all students.

The educational, social-emotional and safety needs of all students so that they may achieve/realize their maximum potential.
The use of best practice in the provision of school psychological services through education and research.

MAS/FPS exists to organize, unify, and nourish an alliance of individuals and organizations concerned with Compensatory Education by:

Facilitating communication among members
Discussing, proposing and taking action on matters of common interest and concern
Conducting programs to enhance the professional competence and status of members
Participating in the development and enactment of state and federal legislation affecting education

Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools
IDEA Partnership Contact: Shug Brandell

The Michigan Coalition of Essential Schools is part of a national network of schools and centers engaged in restructuring and redesigning school organization and curriculum to promote better student learning and achievement. Dr. Theodore Sizer founded the national Coalition of Essential Schools in 1984. The CES mission is focused on classroom practice, the simple authenticity of its principles, and its determination to measure the long-term impact of school reform on the lives of students.

Michigan CEC is a chapter of the National Council for Exceptional Children and represents all disability areas. Its mission is to advance the education of individuals with exceptionalities. MCEC has over 1,500 members and for 65 years has held its annual conference in early March in Grand Rapids.

Michigan PTSA is the largest volunteer child advocacy organization in the state. A not-for-profit association of parents, educators, students, and other citizens active in their schools and communities, PTA is a leader in reminding our nation of its obligations to children. With your help, we can continue to work toward PTA's goal of a quality education and nurturing environment for every child.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services is the federally mandated general public vocational rehabilitation agency in Michigan to assist persons with disabilities to attain employment, self-sufficiency, and independent living. MRS is federally funded with a required state match. MRS has 36 offices located across the state with counselors located in each certified Michigan Works! Service Center. Primary customers are people with disabilities and employers.

The Strategic Instruction Model, or SIM, is about promoting effective teaching and learning of critical content in schools. Two kinds of interventions to address the performance gap, the gap between what students are expected to do and what students are able to do, have been developed.

Teacher-focused interventions are directed at how teachers think about, adapt, and present their critical content in "learner-friendly" fashion. Content Enhancement Routines are sets of inclusive teaching practices that help teachers carefully organize and present critical information in such a way that students identify, organize, comprehend, and recall it.
Information in such a way that students identify, organize, comprehend, and recall it.
Student-focused interventions are designed to provide the skills and strategies students need to learn the content. The Learning Strategies Curriculum encompasses strategies for acquiring information from the printed word, strategies for organizing and memorizing information, strategies for solving math problems, and strategies for expressing information in writing (including on tests).

The “Michigan SIM Network” works to support teacher training within the various SIM components mentioned above. SIM Professional Developers (SIM Trainers) work with individual school districts in implementing these interventions through the “Content Literacy Continuum” or through offering SIM Training Sessions throughout the state. There are currently over 30 SIM Professional Developers within the state of Michigan.

The Michigan Staff Development Council advocates for quality research-based professional development policies and practices to increase the capacity of those who work to improve student learning.

Michigan's Integrated Behavior & Learning Support Initiative (MiBLSi) is designed to help students become better readers who use appropriate behavior resulting in increased student success in the school and community.

To reach this goal, MiBLSi has developed support systems to help educators implement and sustain a data-driven problem-solving model in selected elementary schools throughout Michigan. Support is provided through training, coaching, and technical support.

Michigan's State Improvement Grant (SIG)
IDEA Partnership Contact: David Smith

The SIG operates out of the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services.

Preparing and supporting a cadre of “Partner Educators” to facilitate pilot schools using data for school improvement, analyzing root causes for AYP gaps, promoting content-based communities of practice and implementing school improvement plans informed by these practices.
Engaging personnel at high priority middle schools in a universal school improvement process that integrates general education, special education and parents in a common design.
Instituting AYP communities of practice in mathematics and literacy to enhance high priority middle school teachers’ knowledge of content and pedagogy.
Supporting Michigan’s participation in the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium’s (INTASC) Center for Teacher Quality effort to refine teacher preparation, licensing, and professional development systems

Project PERFORM
(Providing Education and Resources to Families and Others Residing in Michigan)
IDEA Partnership Contact: Khalilah Obimba

Project PERFORM is an IDEA Mandated Activities Project (MAP) parent support and education grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services. Project PERFORM staff members are parents of children with special needs who have been trained in listening, problem-solving, and communication skills. Project PERFORM provides information, referrals, support and resources to Michigan families with children from birth to age 26 with special needs and professionals who work with them through the:

Web Site
21 Information Folders on disabilities and educational topics. Families and professionals with internet access can download Information Folders immediately from the web site. Printed copies are available for families who do not have internet access by calling 800-552-4821 (Michigan only).
One-on-one support through the toll-free number and e-mail.
Lending Library which can be accessed through the web site, e-mail or by phone.

The START Project at Grand Valley State University was initiated to provide training and resources to educators serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) across the state. The START project has emerged as a model of service that encompasses four components: Intensive Training, Collaboration and Networking, Implementation of Effective Practices, and Resource Accessibility.

The Mission of the SPAC is to create a statewide organization that will support Parent Advisory Committees (PACs) as they guide, inform, and empower families. PACs strive to work in positive partnership with professionals to improve educational programs and services for children with disabilities.

Core Sponsors

Additional Partners

Remaining Core Work Sessions: