News & Resources
Office of Special Education New and/or Updated Guidance Release
November 07, 2025
Office of Special Education New and/or Updated Guidance Release
The new or updated guidance documents listed below are available as of today, November 7, 2025, on the MDE webpage:
Functional Behavioral Assessment
- This new guidance provides an overview of the requirements for conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA). This document aims to ensure compliance with key obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to identify the function of behavior and develop effective, individualized supports and instructional strategies that promote access to general education. This guidance reinforces the use of FBAs as a foundational step in supporting students with individualized education programs (IEPs) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) and ensuring they receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
- View the Functional Behavioral Assessment Guidance
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): A Comprehensive Guide
- The new guidance document, Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): A Comprehensive Guide, is designed to help educators understand and apply the key principles of LRE. Its purpose is to ensure that students with disabilities are educated with their nondisabled peers as much as is appropriate to meet their individual needs, in alignment with IDEA requirements.
- View the LRE: A Comprehensive Guide
Least Restrictive Environment Guidance
- The new Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) guidance provides a concise overview of the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): A Comprehensive Guide, helping educators understand and implement LRE principles to ensure students with disabilities learn alongside their nondisabled peers to the greatest extent appropriate under IDEA.
- View the Least Restrictive Environment
For questions about these documents or other special education issues, please contact the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education at [email protected] or 888-320-8384.