Michigan Senate
Michigan students with disabilities will see stronger classroom supports under a new bipartisan education budget backed by Sen. Dayna Polehanki, a longtime public school educator and Majority Vice Chair of the Senate PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee.
Michigan’s FY 2026 budget boosts special education outcomes mainly by increasing resources and stabilizing staffing: it includes a major increase in state special education funding (supporting more IEP service capacity and provider time), raises overall per-pupil funding (helping districts cover special education cost gaps without cutting elsewhere), adds educator recruitment/retention stipend funding (which can reduce special educator and paraeducator vacancies and turnover), and invests in student mental health and safety supports (which can reduce crises, improve attendance, and create more stable learning conditions—especially for students with behavioral and emotional needs).
The budget, which passed the Michigan Senate in early October, directs significant new investments toward special education, at-risk learners, and early childhood programs, ensuring that every student has equitable access to learning opportunities.
“From teaching for nearly 20 years in our public schools to serving as Chair for the Senate Education Committee, I am thrilled that we have delivered another historic School Aid budget that ensures every Michigan student has equitable access to a quality education,” said Senator Polehanki in an official release.
Before entering public service, Polehanki spent nearly two decades teaching high school English. Her classroom experience has shaped her legislative focus on student well-being, teacher recruitment, and inclusive education. She has consistently advocated for better access to special education services and fair compensation for the professionals who deliver them.
The 2025 School Aid Budget marks one of Michigan’s most significant single-year increases in funding for special education, furthering Senator Polehanki’s long-term goal of equitable, fully-resourced schools. These changes mean stronger classroom support, improved access to services, and more consistent staffing for students who need it most.
Sources:
https://senatedems.com/polehanki/2025/10/06/sen-polehanki-applauds-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-education-budget/
Michigan Education Association. (2025, October 4). MEA statement on passage of 2025–26 education budget. https://mea.org/mea-statement-on-passage-of-2025-26-education-budget/
Michigan League for Public Policy. (2025, October 23). Fiscal Year 2025–2026 state budget analysis. https://mlpp.org/fy-2025-2026-state-budget-analysis/
