This brief paper discusses the use of mediation as a method for resolving disagreements between schools or early intervention programs and parents of children with disabilities. It identifies benefits of mediation such as maintenance of an ongoing and positive relationship between the school and family, simple resolution of conflicts arising out…

This brief paper, in Spanish, discusses the use of mediation as a method for resolving disagreements between schools or early intervention programs and parents of children with disabilities. It identifies benefits of mediation such as maintenance of an ongoing and positive relationship between the school and family, simple resolution of conflicts…

This booklet, designed for use by Missouri parents and schools, provides information on using mediation as a non-adversarial alternative to resolving disputes in special education. It compares mediation with impartial due process hearings and complaint investigations, and describes the special education mediation process as voluntary for parents…

Educational disputes involving gifted students may be resolved via conferences with parties involved, mediation, due process, or court litigation. Students in programs or activities receiving federal support may file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Suggestions are offered for becoming informed about…

This booklet for parents, in question and answer format, provides basic information on the mediation process in the resolution of conflicts between parents and educators concerning special education. The first section is intended to help parents decide if mediation is the appropriate route in their situation. It addresses such topics as how…

The booklet offers guidelines to help parents of children with autism become more effective advocates for their children. Following a brief summary of parental rights in the education process, the booklet addresses special education and due process concerns. The hierarchy of procedures in bringing about a resolution of differences between parents…

This guide for parents of children with disabilities explains the basics of the special education process focusing on parent participation in the process of developing the child's individualized education program (IEP). The first section reviews the IEP process including what is involved, the IEP meeting, who attends the IEP meeting, the role of…

This Spanish language guide for parents of children with disabilities explains the basics of the special education process, especially parent participation developing the child's individualized education program (IEP). The first section reviews the IEP process, including what's involved, the IEP meeting, who attends the IEP meeting, the role of…

Designed for parents of students with disabilities living in Oregon, this brochure describes the general mediation process that parents can use to resolve special education services disputes with schools. It begins by discussing what mediation is and the characteristics of a trained mediator. It addresses the requirement for making mediation…

This booklet is intended to provide Ohio parents with information about their legal rights concerning the identification, evaluation, and placement of a preschool child with a suspected disability. The first section focuses on identification including the in-school identification system, the out-of-school identification system, and…

Though developed specifically for Minnesota parents, parents in other states will also receive helpful information from this booklet on early intervention programs for children with disabilities. Topics covered include: (1) qualifications for admission to early intervention services; (2) legal rights of children with disabilities; (3) the…

This document is intended to provide necessary information to Delaware parents, legal guardians, and surrogate parents of children with disabilities concerning procedural safeguards under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B. Presented in a question-and-answer format, this guide is in several sections. The first section…

This article describes how parents may use individualized education program reviews, prehearing conferences, and mediation to resolve parent-school disputes in accordance with Public Law 94-142's due process hearing system. Specific guidelines for meetings with school personnel are offered. Examples are given of prehearing conferences and parents'…

This guide to the Nevada Mediation System for Early Intervention and Special Education is intended to assist families, school districts, and state agencies in resolving disputes regarding the provision of appropriate early intervention or special education and related services to children with disabilities. First, the mediation process is…

This booklet, for parents of children with disabilities in Colorado, outlines the rights guaranteed to parents under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act as amended in 1997. An introduction provides space for identifying a local contact person and notes the need to translate this information for parents whose language is other than…