Administration

• Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) (7.22) - Michigan's special education rules; Downloaded from MDE on 7.22

• MARSE w/ Related IDEA Regulations (6.24) - Michigan's special education rules aligned with IDEA

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Website - View IDEA information and resources from the federal department of education. 

• The Federal Register - A supplemental accompanying document to IDEA that offers assistance to States for the education of children with disabilities. 

• MDE - Michigan Special Education Reference (MI-SER) - A website tool for educators and parents alike who need special education focused information.

• Catamaran Training Site - Resources, policies, help guides, and more for compliant Michigan practices. 

• MDE - Administrative Rule Waiver Application Form - Single District (06.18) - Application when a one-year waiver applies to a single school district 

• MDE - Administrative Rule Waiver Application Forms - Joint Application (06.18) - Application when a one-year waiver applies to multiple school districts

• MDE - Application for Renewal of Previously Approved Administrative Rule Waiver (06.18) - Application for a district to renew a waiver

• MDE - Special Education Deviation Request (06.18) - Used when a request to deviate from rules is for a period beyond one school year

• MDE - Public Agency Placement of Students With Disabilities in Private Schools (03.18) - Guidance for public school placement in a private school

• Berrien RESA - Independent Educational Evaluation [IEE] Process & Documents (12.09) - Outlines the IEE process and provides sample documents

• MDE - Independent Educational Evaluation (09.23) - Guidance on requirements, how a parent requests one, and more. 

• Berrien RESA - Telehealth Contingency Plan (09.21) - Guidance when students' needs are not met or there are safety concerns during telehealth services

• MDE - Revocation of Parental Consent for Special Education (1.17) - A form for parents to complete and submit to revoke consent. 

• MDE - Notice of Cessation of Special Education Programs & Services (1.17) - Complete & provide to parents who have revoked consent for services.

• Adult Education Enrollment Procedures - Infographic that outlines the child find and enrollment process for students aged 18-26 with disabilities

• 105c Contract Template (08.23) -  An agreement between school districts to outline responsibilities and funding for providing special education services to a student enrolled out-of-district. 

• Arc Community Advocates - Learn more about a community advocacy organization that connects parents with resources and support. 

• Berrien RESA - Least Restrictive Environment Key Factor Questions (11.22) - Guide to the IEP team's discussion and decision-making around LRE and placement

• 2025-2026 Countywide Special Education Programs District List (07.25) - A breakdown of programs by type, location, and level. 

• Program Consideration Process - Guidance Document (05.22) - Outlines the process used when considering the removal of a student from the local district setting to a countywide placement.

• Application for Consideration for Student Placement (2024) - The form used when a local district refers a student for placement in a countywide placement.  This document is fillable when downloaded and opened in Word.

• Ed Benefit Review Example (11.22) - This is a fillable version of the ED Benefit Review form identified in the Program Consideration Process Guidance Document - This document is fillable when downloaded and opened in Word.

Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

• PAC New Parent Letter (2025-2026) - Letter for parents to describe the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

• MDE - Policy for the Appointment of Surrogate Parents for Special Education Services (5.23) - Defines procedures and responsibilities

• MDE - Surrogate Parents & Special Education Decision-Making Guide (01.17) - Provides an overview of requirements pertaining to surrogate parents

• Surrogate Parent List (10.24) - List of educational surrogate parents in Berrien County

Additional Parent Resources

• Family Matters Flyer (9.22) - Overview of Family Matters resources for parents about special education

• RESA - Reimbursable Paraprofessional/Instructional Aides (4.23) - Required for documenting Special Education aides/paraprofessionals

• Approval Form - Full Director (8.21) - For Director of Special Education who has completed all coursework and can apply for full approval

• Approval Form - Continuing Temporary Director (8.21) - For Director of Special Education still working through coursework requirements

• Approval Form - Temporary Director (8.21) - For Director of Special Education newly enrolled in certifiction coursework

• Approval Form - Full Supervisor (8.21) - For Supervisor of Special Education who has completed all coursework and can apply for full approval

• Approval Form - Continuing Temporary Supervisor (8.21) - For Supervisor of Special Education still working through coursework requirements

• Approval Form - Temporary Supervisor (8.21) - For Supervisor of Special Education newly enrolled in certification coursework

• Approval Form - Full Transition Coordinator (8.21)  - Used when Transition Coordinator has met all requirements and can apply for full approval

• Approval Form - Full Teacher Consultant (8.21) - Used when Teacher Consultant has met all requirements and can apply for full approval

• Approval Form - Full Year Permit Early Childhood Special Education (8.21) - One year ECSE teacher approval

• Approval Form - Full School Social Worker (8.21) - For SSW who has completed all requirements and can apply for full approval

• Approval Form - Continuing Temporary School Social Worker (8.21) - For Social Worker who is still working on completing requirements for full approval

• Approval Form - Temporary School Social Worker (8.21) - For Social Worker starting requirements for SSW approval

• Approval Form - Temporary Teacher (8.21) - For Special Education program teachers newly enrolled in coursework for added endorsements on certificates

• Approval Form - Continuing Temporary Teacher (8.21) - For Special Education program teachers continuing with coursework for added endorsements on certificates (maximum of 3 years allowed with  temporary and continuing temporary approvals)

• Approval Form - Temporary Resource Room Teacher (8.21) - For Special Education Resource Room teachers newly enrolled in coursework for added endorsements on certificates

• Approval Form - Continuing Temporary Resource Room Teacher (8.21) - For Special Education Resource Room teachers continuing with coursework for added endorsements on certificates (maximum of 3 years allowed with  temporary and continuing temporary approvals)

• Beyond Reason Cliff Notes - A cheat sheet to discover the underlying core concerns of a conflict and how to manage them in meaningful ways.