This briefing paper examines the role of attorneys, and to a lesser extent advocates, in special education mediation. It attempts to "mediate" the debate by adopting the structure of mediation. It begins with a background chapter offering a historical basis for conflict resolution in special education. It then examines the positions held by both…

The article gives parents of a handicapped child a five step problem solving approach to solving conflict with the child's school. (DB)

The paper addresses practical issues involved for building principals in mediating to determine the most "free appropriate public education" for handicapped children and avoiding due process hearings. Mediation is viewed as an ongoing process, and the harmful effects of legal battles over a child's placement or evaluation are noted. The paper…

A framework for understanding and changing conflict between teachers and parents of handicapped children is presented. Specific steps are seen to include reassessing blame-oriented assumptions about the parent's motives, understanding the stress experienced by parents of exceptional children, developing a sense of shared goals and feelings…

Reviews the advantages and disadvantages of common methods of conflict resolution used in special-education disputes. Argues that "principled negotiation" has been underutilized at the early phase of special-education disputes and shows promise as a means of settling many disputes without the need for mediation or adversarial processes.…

This pamphlet describes, from an administrators perspective, the advantages and disadvantages of mediation to solve special education disputes between parents and schools. It first notes mediation requirements under the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Act whenever a due process hearing has been requested, as well as…

In this article, a parent of a child with a developmental disability discusses the complications of parent-professional partnerships and identifies the following five distinct features, or dimensions, which both entangle and enhances the partnership dance: choice, forced intimacy, identification of partners, role expectations, and differing…

The paper describes the conflict between parental responsibility for a handicapped child, particularly a retarded child, and the parents' other interests and concerns. Swedish parents (N=60) of retarded children were interviewed once and three families were interviewed several times over a 6-month period. Parents typically went through a period of…

Analyzes the history, values, and legal issues involved in the inclusion controversy. Opponents of full inclusion of all students with disabilities in the classroom contend that it is a simplistic answer to complex problems. The Community Engagement Dialogic Model is an approach for dealing with judicial intervention in many special-education…

Examines implications of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (P.L. 94-142). Delineates areas of conflict that might arise when the law is implemented at the school district level and proposes a strategy for developing future Federal educational policy in such a way as to reduce conflict and enhance implementation. (Author/GC)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990 stresses procedural safeguards regarding special education identification, placement, or services. Reviewed a sample of Illinois due process appeal decisions and concluded that the system appears to be serving Illinois educators and parents reasonably well. (20 references) (MLF)

This article provides some basic foundation of family systems concepts for school professionals who work with students with disabilities. It addresses communication skills and psychological issues that can result in barriers to implementation of family systems concepts and describes a five-step process leading to conflict resolution. (Contains…

This special issue on home economists as leaders in the workplace and community was written by home economics teachers, a social worker, and a principal of a middle school. Articles focus on personal philosophy, curriculum content, school mission, and student learning experiences. (JOW)

This paper identifies some of the benefits and challenges that warrant consideration by families, educators, and dispute resolution practitioners as they create opportunities for students to participate in the mediation process. Perspectives and assumptions regarding student participation are captured and strategies are presented that may…