General information and document preparation — not legal advice.
Special education by state
Special Education & IEP Help in Michigan
If your child has — or might need — an IEP in Michigan, this page puts the Michigan-specific rules into plain English: how long an evaluation can take, how Michigan rates on federal special-education oversight, the people who help for free, and exactly how to push back when something is wrong. Federal law (IDEA) is the floor everywhere; Michigan adds the details below.
How long does an IEP evaluation take in Michigan?
Michigan gives the school 30 school days (not 60 calendar days) after you sign consent to finish the evaluation and hold the IEP meeting.
That differs from the federal default of 60 calendar days, so Michigan sets its own clock.
Source: MARSE R 340.1721b
Michigan's federal IDEA rating
Michigan is currently rated “Meets requirements” — the U.S. Department of Education found that the state met federal special-education requirements in its most recent annual review. That is the top of four ratings — but it does not guarantee your own district is following the law.
Where to get free help in Michigan
Two places help Michigan families at no cost:
Parent Training & Information Center (free, federally funded)
Michigan special-education agency
Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education (OSE)
How to file a special-education complaint in Michigan
Send a signed, written complaint to the Michigan Dept. of Education Office of Special Education within 1 year of the problem; a model form is available.
Your rights everywhere (federal law)
These IDEA rights apply in Michigan and every state. Start here:
Understand your child's IEP — line by line
IEP Path decodes the plan into plain language, flags what's weak or missing, and writes the letters — in English and Spanish.