A version of this column originally appeared in Michigan Advance.
A fresh year is the time to reflect on the one before, let go of the status quo and embrace new habits. As Michiganders set their intentions for 2026, the state Legislature is setting its intention for the upcoming year by finalizing budget priorities for the 2027 fiscal year, which informally kicks off with the Census Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) on Friday, Jan. 16.
One priority lawmakers should include in the upcoming budget is adopting the framework for funding special education services detailed in the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint. This legislative report, delivered in October 2025, describes longstanding flaws with our current reimbursement model for supporting students receiving special education services, and then it provides a solution: a weighted funding model tied to student need.
Today, nearly 16% of students in Michigan receive special education services, and the proportion of students who qualify for these services continues to grow. This increase underscores a pressing need for our funding system to modernize in response to the changing student population. Currently, most funding for special education services comes from the state in the form of a reimbursement for 28.6% of district expenditures. Local funds contribute to the rest of costs, but contributions vary widely by Intermediate School District (ISD). Additionally, most districts are forced to use general fund dollars to cover special education costs, creating budget constraints. The result is inequity that shows up directly in classrooms.
The Blueprint highlights this inequity by pointing to two counties with similar student populations, but due to tax wealth, one county can spend $3,500 more per student on special education services. Essentially, our system has created a reality where two students with identical characteristics (academic achievement, family life, diagnosis, etc.) are receiving drastically different services simply because of the district they are assigned. This gap translates into fewer interventions, more students per teacher, and fewer supports for students who need them most.
The Blueprint’s model solves these problems by tying special education funding to the needs of a particular student. The new model scraps the reimbursement format and provides each special education student with the foundation allowance (currently set at $10,050) and an additional percentage of the foundation allowance, as determined by their diagnosis. The change means that funding is tied to student needs, not ZIP codes.
Although it has been nearly a decade since I was a classroom teacher, the feeling of “if only” has not faded.
If only I could be in two places at once…
If only there were someone to provide the reading interventions…
If only we funded all of our students according to their unique needs…
For too long, these have been common realities in Michigan classrooms, but they no longer need to be hypothetical wishes for our educators.
The Blueprint was developed by school finance experts and informed by hundreds of stakeholders across the state. Adequate and equitable funding will allow teachers to focus on teaching and will create classrooms where diverse needs are met with appropriate supports.
Importantly, adopting the Blueprint will not only improve outcomes for students receiving special education services; it will improve the educational experience for everyone. By strengthening staffing, reducing strain on general education classrooms, and stabilizing district budgets, the Blueprint will improve learning conditions for all Michigan students.
Now, at the start of a new year, lawmakers must take decisive action by adopting the Blueprint’s weighted funding model and redefining special education funding in Michigan. As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let this be one we keep: a commitment to equitable, effective education funding that empowers every Michigan student to thrive.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
