The Student Advocacy Center (SAC) was established in 1975 to focus on the educational experience of students; to identify successful practices and policies as well as the barriers to effective service.

Using a strengths-based approach, the Student Advocacy Center works in partnership with families and schools to promote educational practices that result in success for students, as well as to challenge those exclusionary policies that may have a harmful impact on students and families.

Our advocates, who are not employees of the schools or the government, work to assure equal opportunity and excellent education for all children.

SAC provides a full range of services: free individual case advocacy, technical assistance, and training for parents, students, and professionals about children’s educational entitlements and due process rights in Michigan.

The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan is the only independent organization in Michigan providing free, non-legal advocacy to students (and their parents) who are eligible for general and special public education programs.

What can this website do for you?

If you are a parent or student, it can: Suggest positive interventions to prevent negative situations from becoming problems. Offer strategies on working and partnering with the school to relieve the problem. Offer options if you and the school cannot come to an agreement on the issue and its solution. Provide you with sample letters to write to the schools and administration. If you are a teacher or school official, it can: Lend insight into the problems parents and children feel and experience. Offer suggestions for better communication with families.