Team Based Conflict Resolution in Special Education

Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution (CADRE)

Team Based Conflict Resolution in Special Education

by Marshall Peter, Anita Engiles, Susan Baxter Quash-Mah and Bonnie Todis

Email this

Print this

Funding for this document was provided by Grant #H023M20010 from the Division of Innovation and Development, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, United States Department of Education.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE CURRENT SYSTEM

Step 1 - Identifying Issues

Step 2 - Understanding Interests

Step 3 - Problem Solving and Reaching Agreement

Follow-up

Accommodating Cultural Differences

LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF TEAM CONCILIATION

Conciliations

Recruitment of Conciliators

Volunteer Conciliator Training

EVALUATION

Evaluation of Conciliations

Pre-intervention information

Post-intervention interviews

Evaluation of Training

CONCLUSION

APPENDICES

Special Note: The IDEA '97 regulations are very specific that the mediation states must offer when a due process hearing has been requested is to be conducted by a single mediator. Team conciliation is offered not as a process that satisfies these requirements but rather as one of many options that may be useful, in addition to those that are legally required, when parents and educators disagree. Conciliation may be of particular value when those disagreements include issues of culture, gender or class bias. Additional information on this article is available from CADRE Director, Marshall Peter and Mediation Specialist, Anita Engiles.

ABSTRACT

This paper describes a promising method for resolving disagreements between families and school districts regarding students' special education programs. Specifically the paper describes the development of local, community-based mediation teams that use a prescribed process for resolving disagreements.

INTRODUCTION

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is based on the fundamental premise that parents and schools, when working cooperatively together, are uniquely suited to make the best decisions regarding appropriate educational programs for students. The development of an IEP (Individualized Educational Program) is the central process in IDEA's strategy for assuring appropriate educational programs for children with special needs. Building and nurturing the partnerships necessary for good IEPs is at the heart of making IDEA work. When parents and providers of educational services see themselves as partners, they cooperate in the design of the student's IEP.

Because parents and educators may not share identical perceptions of the child or goals for the student and because their roles in the child's life as parent and professional are dissimilar, disput

Website maintained and hosted
by Resourceful Internet Solutions,
home of Mediate.com

Contact Us · About CADRE · Privacy	Topical Search: Text Search:

CADRE Resources Home CADRE Continuum Literature Database Español Resources For Mediators IDEA & Legal Locate Professionals Locate Trainers Participating in Mediation Research & Evaluation Systems Design Training Resources CADRE Products State Information Calendar This document does not offer formal policy guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs at the United States Department of Education. Subscribe to The CADRE Caucus WHAT'S CADRE CAUCUS? This site is funded by: Subscribe to CADRE's Practitioner List Serve WHAT'S PRACTITIONER LIST SERVE? Team Based Conflict Resolution in Special Education by Marshall Peter, Anita Engiles, Susan Baxter Quash-Mah and Bonnie Todis Email this Print this Funding for this document was provided by Grant #H023M20010 from the Division of Innovation and Development, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, United States Department of Education. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE CURRENT SYSTEM The Model The People TEAM CONCILIATION Case Development Team Process The Opening Step 1 - Identifying Issues Step 2 - Understanding Interests Step 3 - Problem Solving and Reaching Agreement Follow-up Accommodating Cultural Differences LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF TEAM CONCILIATION Conciliations Recruitment of Conciliators Volunteer Conciliator Training EVALUATION Evaluation of Conciliations Pre-intervention information Post-intervention interviews Evaluation of Training CONCLUSION APPENDICES Special Note: The IDEA '97 regulations are very specific that the mediation states must offer when a due process hearing has been requested is to be conducted by a single mediator. Team conciliation is offered not as a process that satisfies these requirements but rather as one of many options that may be useful, in addition to those that are legally required, when parents and educators disagree. Conciliation may be of particular value when those disagreements include issues of culture, gender or class bias. Additional information on this article is available from CADRE Director, Marshall Peter and Mediation Specialist, Anita Engiles. ABSTRACT This paper describes a promising method for resolving disagreements between families and school districts regarding students' special education programs. Specifically the paper describes the development of local, community-based mediation teams that use a prescribed process for resolving disagreements. INTRODUCTION The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) is based on the fundamental premise that parents and schools, when working cooperatively together, are uniquely suited to make the best decisions regarding appropriate educational programs for students. The development of an IEP (Individualized Educational Program) is the central process in IDEA's strategy for assuring appropriate educational programs for children with special needs. Building and nurturing the partnerships necessary for good IEPs is at the heart of making IDEA work. When parents and providers of educational services see themselves as partners, they cooperate in the design of the student's IEP. Because parents and educators may not share identical perceptions of the child or goals for the student and because their roles in the child's life as parent and professional are dissimilar, disput Website maintained and hosted by Resourceful Internet Solutions, home of Mediate.com

CADRE Resources

Team Based Conflict Resolution in Special Education