Opinion | What Michigan needs in its next superintendent of public instruction

As the Michigan State Board of Education selects our state’s next superintendent of public instruction, we find ourselves at a pivotal crossroads. With more than 1.4 million students across more than 800 public school districts, Michigan’s education leader must be prepared to take bold, uncompromising action on behalf of all students — especially those who have been historically underserved.

Heather Eckner is director of statewide education for the Autism Alliance of Michigan (Courtesy photo)

At the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), we work daily with families of students with autism and other disabilities who are navigating a system that too often falls short. Our recommendations for Michigan’s next superintendent stem from those lived experiences and from consistent public input we’ve delivered to the State Board of Education in 2025.

The status quo isn’t working

Fourteen percent of Michigan’s students receive special education services, and far too many are still being left behind. The data — and the stories we hear every day — tell us that compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is inconsistent at best. Families report significant dissatisfaction with Individualized Education Program (IEP) quality, implementation, and communication. Many districts fail to meet federal standards without consequence. The result? Students suffer while bureaucratic systems remain largely unaccountable.

In a statewide analysis of stakeholder interviews conducted by AAoM, we heard a unified message from educators, parents, disabled individuals, and advocates alike: Weak federal oversight, limited state accountability, and chronic underfunding are the greatest barriers to progress in special education.

We need transformational leadership

Michigan’s next superintendent must bring more than credentials. We need someone with moral courage — willing to challenge broken systems and move beyond performative change.

That means:

Issuing clear, actionable guidance to help districts resolve state complaint findings.
Requiring robust, evidence-based professional development for special education personnel.
Promoting individualized, outcome-driven planning that puts students, not bureaucracy, at the center.

It also means listening. Too often, the voices of families, students, and community advocates are excluded or tokenized. We need a leader who will elevate those voices, not avoid them.

Equity must be non-negotiable

Our public schools serve a student population that is 50% economically disadvantaged, 14% students with disabilities, and 7% English learners. Michigan’s next superintendent must lead with equity at the forefront — not as a buzzword, but as a strategic, measurable priority.

This includes addressing:

Alarming disparities in graduation rates between students with and without disabilities.
The overuse and misuse of alternate assessments.
A persistent dropout crisis that demands multisystem accountability and intervention.

A superintendent who acts — not just speaks

Understanding policy is one thing. Acting on it is another. We seek a superintendent who will:

Support inclusive practices in every classroom.
Drastically reduce reliance on alternate assessments.
Reform transition planning to align with real post-secondary outcomes.
Use disaggregated data to make decisions that serve all students fairly.

We also need a leader who can navigate the complex political landscape, from the governor’s office to the federal Department of Education. This includes securing equitable special education funding and advancing policy reforms such as those being developed through the Michigan Special Education Finance Reform Blueprint.

Grounded in accountability and honesty

The next superintendent must name difficult truths and hold systems accountable. That includes ensuring full Individualized Education Program compliance, eliminating segregation in education, and restoring trust between families and schools.

Our call to the State Board of Education

This is one of the most consequential decisions Michigan’s State Board of Education will make in a decade. We urge the board to select a leader who is bold, transparent, and unwavering in their commitment to the children who have for too long been overlooked.

At the Autism Alliance of Michigan, we are ready to partner with this new leader to ensure that every student—regardless of ability, income, race, or zip code—has access to a high-quality, inclusive education. Anything less is unacceptable.