Michigan CEC

🌱 Registration is NOW OPEN! 🌱

The wait is over! Registration is officially open for the MCEC 87th Annual Conference: Rooted in Relationships!

📅 March 3–5, 2027
📍 Grand Rapids, Michigan

Join hundreds of educators, administrators, related service providers, families, advocates, higher education faculty, and students from across Michigan as we come together to learn, collaborate, and strengthen the relationships that help every learner thrive.

This year's conference will feature:
✨ Inspiring keynote speaker Kaelynn Partlow
✨ 100+ educational breakout sessions
✨ Networking opportunities
✨ Exhibitor Hall (50+ Vendors)
✨ Recognition & Scholarship Reception (Thursday Evening)
✨ And so much more!

Relationships are at the heart of meaningful change, and we can't wait to grow alongside you.

🌿 Register today at mcecannualconference.com



Alt Text:
Promotional graphic for the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children (MCEC) 87th Annual Conference. The design features five diverse figures holding hands above colorful tree roots that form a heart, symbolizing connection and relationships. Text reads "Rooted in Relationships," "March 3–5, 2027 | Grand Rapids, MI," and a large banner states "Registration Now Open!" The MCEC 87th Annual Conference logo appears at the bottom with colorful botanical accents framing the design.

That's a wrap on MCEC Summer Planning 2026! ☀️💙

Over the past few days, our Board of Directors, came together at the beautiful Retreat Center to reflect, collaborate, and prepare for the year ahead.

Together, we:
✨ Reviewed MCEC's Strategic Plan
✨ Developed committee goals aligned with our strategic priorities
✨ Planned for the 2026–2027 year
✨ Began preparing for our 87th Annual Conference, Rooted in Relationships
✨ Strengthened the relationships that make our work possible

From thoughtful planning sessions and committee meetings to a fun evening of bowling at Fenton Bowling, this retreat reminded us that some of our best ideas, and strongest partnerships, are built both around the meeting table and through shared experiences.

We left inspired, energized, and excited for the year ahead, with a clear vision for how we'll continue serving Michigan's educators, families, and individuals with exceptionalities.

Thank you to every board member, committee chair, and volunteer who dedicated your time, expertise, and passion to this retreat. Your commitment is what makes MCEC such a strong and impactful organization.

Here's to another incredible year of learning, advocacy, collaboration, and celebrating every child! 💙❤️

Next week, the Michigan Council for Exceptional Children Board of Directors will come together for our annual Summer Planning Retreat.

Over the next few days, we'll be collaborating on strategic planning, reviewing our organizational goals, strengthening our committees, building connections, and preparing for an exciting year ahead. Every conversation, every idea, and every plan is centered around one purpose: better serving Michigan's educators, families, and individuals with exceptionalities.

As we prepare for the year ahead, we'd love to hear from you! What topics, initiatives, or challenges would you like MCEC to tackle this year? Share your ideas in the comments, we're listening!

We're looking forward to the work ahead and can't wait to share what's in store for the coming year.

Oppose ED Moving OSERS and OCR Out of the Department Keep OSEP at the Department of Education!

The Council for Exceptional Children is proud to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 36th Anniversary. On July 26th we celebrate this important civil rights law that works to ensure all people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Celebrate with us by visiting: adaanniversary.org

That's a wrap on the 2026 Special Education Legislative Summit!💙

Over the past three days, MCEC's advocacy team joined 280 advocates representing 47 states to champion policies that support students with disabilities, families, and the educators who serve them.

From learning alongside national leaders, to meeting with Michigan's congressional delegation on Capitol Hill, to collaborating with advocates from across the country, every conversation reinforced one important truth:

When we speak together, our voices make a difference.

We're returning to Michigan inspired, informed, and ready to continue advocating for inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education for every learner.

Thank you to everyone who made this experience possible, and to our incredible Michigan delegation for representing our state so well.

Together, we're making our voices heard.

💙

SELS 2026 | Day 2 on Capitol Hill 🇺🇸

Day 2 of the Council for Exceptional Children's Special Education Legislative Summit (SELS) was all about advocacy in action.

Michigan CEC and Michigan Assoc. of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) members joined 280 advocates representing 47 states as we spread out across Capitol Hill, meeting with members of Michigan's congressional delegation to share the priorities that matter most to students with disabilities, their families, and the educators who support them every day.

Throughout the day, our team met with staff from the offices of:

• Senator Gary Peters
• Senator Elissa Slotkin
• Representative Kristen McDonald Rivet
• Representative Hillary Scholten
• Representative John Moolenaar
• Representative Tom Barrett
• Representative Rashida Tlaib

We also had the opportunity to meet in person with Representative Bill Huizenga and Representative Jack Bergman.

These conversations are an important reminder that advocacy doesn't stop at the classroom door. By building relationships with lawmakers and sharing the real experiences of Michigan students, families, and educators, we help ensure their voices are heard where decisions are made.

Thank you to our MCEC advocates for proudly representing Michigan on Capitol Hill!