LANSING — Advocates say gaps in Michigan’s special education funding are contributing to what’s known as the school-to-justice pipeline, pushing vulnerable students from classrooms into the juvenile justice system.
The Public News Service is reporting that a new proposal called the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint would overhaul how the state funds special education, aiming to better support students with disabilities and address long-standing inequities.
Education advocates say many justice-involved youth have identified or unidentified disabilities and lack access to adequate classroom support. They argue Michigan’s current funding model is outdated and misaligned with student needs.
The bipartisan blueprint recommends a weighted funding system designed to help schools intervene earlier, improve graduation outcomes, and reduce justice-system involvement.
The proposal has been delivered to the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and is now under consideration as lawmakers weigh education funding priorities.
Michigan currently covers about 30 percent of special education costs, ranking among the lowest in the nation.