The function of the Office of Special Education (OSE) is the general supervision, administration, and funding of special education programs and services for children and youth with disabilities ages 3-21. A free appropriate public education (FAPE) is provided to eligible children according to federal statute and regulations, state statute, administrative rules, and department procedures.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) established two separate age segments for students with special needs. Part B refers to special education services for students ages 3 through 21. Part C refers to early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities from birth to age 3. In Michigan, special education programs and services extend from birth through 25 (beyond the federal requirement of 21).

The OSE has the general supervision responsibility to ensure ISDs and local districts implement the Part B requirements of the IDEA and provide a FAPE to each student with a disability. MI-LEAP manages Part C services.

The OSE is made up of four units, administration, program finance, program accountability, and performance reporting, and is also responsible for the Resource for Blind/Low Vision and Resource for Deaf/Hard of Hearing (formerly Low Incidence Outreach), as well as the Michigan School for the Deaf.

The Family Matters webpage houses a series of fact sheets to help families understand the special education system. These two-page fact sheets are available in English, Arabic and Spanish. They offer a concise overview of special education laws, practices, procedural safeguards, in parent friendly language and include links to more in-depth special education resources. New fact sheets are added on an ongoing basis.