IEP Dispute Resolution

Collaboration is Key

• A Facilitator or Mediator can be used to assist with collaboration of the educational agency and the parents.
• The priority is working together to find common ground to meet the child's educational needs
• Focus should be on the best interest of the child

Neutral 3rd Parties

• Facilitators and Mediators are neutral
• They can help with misunderstandings
• Can help both sides in reaching an agreement without conflict
• In Mediation you have the option of creating a written agreement which can be appealing to vested parties
• Clarifying points of agreement and disagreement
• Facilitators and Mediators do not make decisions and are not a member of the team

Proactive Approach

• IEP facilitation and Mediation is a proactive approach to address disagreements early on
• Lends to better long term relationships between both parents and educational agency
• Allows for a more flexible solutions where all parties have a say in the outcomes
• Better educationaloutcomes for students

Teamwork

• Allows for a more flexible solutions where all parties have a say in the outcomes
• Ensures the IEP is tailored to the child's specific needs
• IEP Team works through differences

Resolution

• Resolution through due process is a last resort
• Formal setting that is legally binding
• They are time consuming and costly
• Hearing officer makes a final decision
• President setting is preferred over confidentiality
• Parties seek to address injustice or recoup monetary damages