Special Education

An integral part of the Special Education Department is to provide evaluation services for all students suspected of having a disability. Free evaluation and Child Find services are conducted by a team of educational specialists.  If you have concerns about your child’s educational development in school, please contact the Special Education office at (586) 949-4513 for further information to refer a student.

Department of Education Website: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education/evaluations-ieps/evaluations-eligibility

Welcome to the Special Education Department. Students are eligible through our evaluation process for having an identified disability according to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Michigan Administrative Rules of Special Education (MARSE). We collaborate closely with families, educators, and service providers to deliver specialized instruction, accommodations, and support services tailored to the unique strengths and needs of each learner.

To help you navigate your child's educational journey, we have compiled essential resources below. The following links will connect you directly with the state department of education for official guidelines, procedural safeguards, and statewide special education services.

MDE Special Education Guidance: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education

MDE Notice and Consent Guidance : https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education/evaluations-ieps/notice-consent

Anchor Bay School District offers a broad continuum of programs and services that are available to our students. These programs are designed to meet the individual needs of eligible student’s ages 0-26 years old.

Services for children ages 0 to 3 years of age are provided in collaboration with the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) through the Child Find process. Please call the MISD Infant Preschool Program at (586) 228-3321 for information on these early services.

At Anchor Bay School District emphasis is placed on educating students in their neighborhood schools to the maximum extent appropriate. However, all educational decisions about programs and services for students must be based on each student’s needs by the Individual Educational Planning (IEP) team. Parental involvement in these decisions is critical. Specialized programs for some students are offered at identified school buildings. In addition, some students may benefit from specialized programs offered in collaboration with the Macomb Intermediate School District or other cooperating local school districts.
 
Ancillary services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, school social work, school psychology, orientation and mobility, and various specialized teacher consultant services, are provided based on each student’s Individual Educational Plan.

MDE LRE Continuum

Anchor Bay Special Education Programs & Services

We believe that meaningful learning happens when evidence-based tools and comprehensive, differentiated curricula are integrated into the classroom. The resources below outline the specialized programs, structured reading interventions, and academic tools our team utilizes to foster growth, build independence, and ensure equitable access to success for all students.

• Unique Learning System
• Lexia Core5
• Lexia PowerUp
• Number Worlds

The Anchor Bay Special Education Department is committed to providing every student with a clear and supportive pathway toward graduation. We recognize that standard graduation requirements may not perfectly align with the unique learning needs and post-secondary goals of every individual. To explore the official state guidelines, eligibility criteria, and detailed options for students with disabilities, please review the link below. 

MDE Personal Curriculum Guidance:  https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/academic-standards/mmc/personal-curriculum

In alignment with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), our Special Education Department ensures that Assistive Technology (AT) devices and services are considered and provided for students who require them to access and participate in the general education curriculum. 

Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system—whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized. AT solutions range from low-tech tools like graphic organizers and pencil grips to high-tech software like speech-to-text programs, augmentative communication devices, and specialized computer access. Our dedicated team of educators, therapists, and specialists work collaboratively to evaluate student needs, provide staff training, and seamlessly integrate these technologies into the classroom. 

For a comprehensive guide on how our district identifies, evaluates, and implements AT solutions within a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, please review our official documentation below.

District Assistive Technology Manual

The district Assistive Technology Representative Team:

• Toni Palazzolo - tpalazzolo@abs.misd.net
• Alyssa Brickel - abrickel@abs.misd.net
• Katie Allport - kallport@abs.misd.net
• Jenna Sobel - jsobel@abs.misd.net
• Kellie Mackesy - kmackesy@abs.misd.net
• Haley Palazzolo - hpalazzolo@abs.misd.net
• Katie McWherter - kmcwherter@abs.misd.net
• Krista Cook- kcook@abs.misd.net

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law that ensures the school district offer a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) to each eligible student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

A Section 504 Plan outlines the specific accommodations, modifications, and support services a student needs to access the general education curriculum on an equal basis with their peers. Unlike special education programs governed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), students with 504 plans typically learn inside the standard general education classroom. To provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), our district implements individual accommodations (e.g. extended time on tests, preferential seating, audiobooks, note-taking assistance, periodic breaks, etc.) which are designed to meet individual student needs.

MISD 504 Guidance - https://www.misd.net/TIENet/PDFdocs/Section504Manual.pdf

Section 504 Procedural Safeguards

We believe that a strong, collaborative partnership between families and our schools is the key to helping every student thrive.

Navigating special education is a shared journey, and we are here to support you every step of the way. The resources below are designed to provide clear information, practical tools, and helpful guidance to empower your family and strengthen your child's learning experience.

MDE Parent Resources Site: https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/special-education/parent-resources

MISD Early On Information: https://www.misd.net/earlyon/index.html

MISD Special Education Parents Page: https://www.misd.net/separents/index.html

Anchor Bay Wellness Resource Page: https://www.anchorbay.misd.net/parents-/wellness-resources/

Procedural Safeguards Notice