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Explanation of Services

Special Education

Special Education in Michigan provides a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for all children from birth to their twenty-sixth birthday who have not received a high school diploma or completed a normal course of study.

Who has a Disability?

A student may have a disability under the Individual with Disability Act (IDEA) and the Michigan Revised Administrative Rules if a determination is made by a multidisciplinary evaluation team that a child has a disability (as defined by IDEA and the Michigan Revised Administrative Rules for Special Education) and needs special education and related services in order to progress in the general education curriculum.  If a student is eligible for special education services an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) must be developed in accordance with R300.340-350.  Services are available for eligible children from birth to their twenty-sixth birthday.

If you suspect that your child has a disability, please contact the school administrator in your school district and/or contact the Calhoun ISD Special Education Department at (269) 789-2460 and share your concerns.

Who is Eligible for Special Education?

Eligibility for special education programs and/or services is defined by the individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997.  A team of qualified professionals and the parents, referred to as an Individualized Education Planning Team (IEPT), make the determination of eligibility after a comprehensive evaluation has been completed.   This evaluation may determine that a child qualifies for special education services under one or more disability areas.  If determined eligible for special education services, the IEPT is responsible for identifying student needs, program(s) and services.

Disability Categories

Autism (ASD)

Cognitive Impairment (CI)

Emotional Impairment (EI)

Severely Multiply Impaired (SXI)

Hearing Impairment (HI)

Learning Disabled (LD)

Physical Impairment (PI)

Early Childhood Developmental Delay (ECDD)

Other Health Impairment (OHI)

Speech & Language Impairment (SL)

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Visual Impairment (VI)