Early Childhood

Michigan requires special education services for eligible children and students from birth through age 25.

Part B requires special education services for eligible students ages 3 through 26.

Part C requires early intervention services for eligible infants/toddlers from birth to age 3.

Infants and toddlers from birth to age 3 may be eligible for services under only the IDEA Part C (called Early On® in Michigan) or under both the IDEA Part C and the Michigan Mandatory Special Education (MMSE) mandate.

Early On is through the Office of Great Start.

Early On / Part C

Early On State Plan
Birth - Five Milestones
Transition at Age Three - State Guidance Document
Family Rights Brochure available in other languages
Early On Procedural Safeguards Protecting Families Rights
Early On PDF Referral Form with Health Status for use with physicians
Early On PDF Referral Form for use with parents, childcare, agency staff
Welcome to Early On available in other languages
Family Matters: Special Education Process Fact Sheet
LISD Red Flags - Communication Delays in the First 3 Years of Life
Early On Michigan Established Conditions
Updated Early On Established Conditions List One Pager
CDC’s Developmental Milestones

Michigan Mandatory Special Education (MMSE)

Infants and toddlers from birth to age three may be eligible under only the IDEA Part C or under both the IDEA Part C and the MMSE mandate.

Determining LRE in Preschool

The Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) refers to the IDEA requirement that "children with disabilities not be placed in special classes or separate schools unless the nature and severity of their disability is such that education in regular classes with supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily."

Under the IDEA, districts have the obligation to apply the same LRE requirements to preschool-aged students in the same manner as applied to school-aged children. This individualized program of specialized instruction can take place in many different environments.

MDE Preschool in the Least Restrictive Environment

Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA)

Team Decisions for Preschool Special Education Services Guiding Questions (ECTA)

Making Sound Preschool LRE Decisions (ECTA)

Key Principles Underlying the IEP Process

Key Practices Underlying the IEP Process

DEAR COLLEAGUE LETTER on Preschool Least Restrictive Environments

DEC Recommended Practices

Practice Improvement Tools: Performance Checklists