Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley's Special Education Listening Tour will stop at Wayne State University Thursday, Sept. 10, to seek input from metro Detroit parents and teachers on their experiences in Michigan's special education programs. Wayne State University College of Education professors Carla Harting and Susan Gabel, along with Calley and Michelle Fecteau of the State Board of Education, will serve as panelists at the event, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in the WSU Law School's Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium.
The Wayne State stop will mark the end of a statewide tour aimed at gathering different viewpoints and insights from residents about special education in Michigan. The results from the forums, along with input provided via an accompanying online survey, will be used to help enhance future state efforts, proposals and outcomes.
"We need to hear about what works and what can be improved," said Calley. "Every family has different views and experiences with our special education programs, so it is important to visit as many areas of the state as possible and that as many people as possible take the survey."
Since April, Calley has listened to concerns at forums in Traverse City, Dexter, Indian River, Grand Rapids, Benton Harbor, Center Line, Lansing, Troy and Redford.
"We are pleased to welcome Lt. Gov. Calley and our community to campus to discuss this very important topic," said R. Douglas Whitman, dean of the College of Education. "According to the U.S. Department of Education, there has been a growing shortage of highly qualified special education teachers. Combined with persistent reductions of funding to public schools, which service the majority of these special-needs children, this is becoming a state and national crisis."
Gabel is a teacher education professor at Wayne State. She is known for her expertise in disability studies in education and her research on inclusive education for students with disabilities. She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and edited books. Her latest research focuses on mothering children with disabilities.
Harting is a lecturer and program coordinator for educational leadership and policy studies in the WSU College of Education. She spent 42 years in public education, beginning her career as a special education teacher. Harting then spent 38 years in Wyandotte Public Schools in various positions, retiring as superintendent in 2014.
"This forum is an excellent opportunity for parents, educators, and other interested parties to provide information about what is working in special education and areas that need improvement," said Harting.
The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in Structure 1 for $7. For more information about this event, contact Donna Carroll at 313-577-8116 or decarroll@wayne.edu.