The Michigan Occupational Special Populations Association was formed in 1975 to improve opportunities while giving support to career technical students with special needs.

The purpose of MOSPA is to inform members of the requirements of the Perkins legislation and assist in its implementation at the local level to ensure that the needs of the special population student are well served at the secondary and postsecondary levels. In addition, a goal of the organization and the state conference is to enhance the professional development of educators and paraprofessionals working with special population students.

The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 refer to an identifiable segment of the career and technical education population as individuals who are members of special populations. The Act defines “special populations” as:
 

• Individuals with disabilities
• Individuals from economically disadvantaged families, including low-income youth and adults
• Individuals preparing for non-traditional fields
• Single parents, including single-pregnant women
• Out-of-workforce individuals
• English learners
• Homeless individuals
• Youth who are in, or have aged out of, the foster care system
• Youth with a parent who is a member of the armed forces or on active duty
• Migrants

 The Executive Board and Conference Committee of the Michigan Occupational Special Populations Association (MOSPA) would like to extend our sincerest appreciation for the grant funds provided in support of our 2017 State conference held May 2-5. Your continued support of MOSPA allows us to bring high quality and relevant professional development training to occupational educators throughout the State at a reasonable cost. In 1975, MOSPA began as a mechanism to improve professional development opportunities for career and technical educators in support of improving the success of career and technical special population students.