Special Education Dispute Resolution?

Question

Hi I am getting ready to go to a dispute resolution meeting for my child. Has anyone ever attend such a meeting? Can you give me details of what will happen at this meeting? Also, did you prevail? Did the school system go with what you wanted or did you end up in Due Process?

Answer 1

no never sorry!

Answer 2

i heard it is really hard

Answer 3

It largely depends on what your dispute is.  I have attended several as an advocate, as an educator and as an administrator.

If you mean prevail in that the parents got the school to do something that the school cannot or should not do - no.

If you mean prevail in that the school was not doing what it had agreed to in the IEP - yes.

If you mean prevail in that my kid is only getting B's and he/she shoud be gettin A's and you better get him there - no.

If you mean prevail in that I heard about a great new program and I want you to pay to send my kid - no.

Issues should be laid out in advance with an agenda.  You will go through each one to see where there is agreement and where not.  Typically then the items in agreement are crossed off and the ones where there is a difference of opinion get worked on.

At the end of a defined time - there is a wrap up to determine what was decided, what still needs work and who needs to be involved.  Perhaps another meeting is scheduled with a smaller work group.

At the end of each session - you should get notes of what was agreed on.

Answer 4

I think this is the same thing as 'mediation'. Look up the rules for this on your state dept of education website.

In GA this is useless. THey have a person that is unbiased attend this meeting, and only help the school and parents come to an agreement. AND, it is only VOLUNTARY for schools to attend.

The mediator person does NOT judge or tell the school what to do. They only 'help', and if the parent and school did not agree before, they sure won't now.

Call your state dept of education and ask for the 'federally funded special ed parent advocacy agency'.

Every state has this and it is FREE for parents. THey let you have an advocate who is trained in problems like this.

Answer 5

IF YOU GET NO RESULTS FOR YOUR CHILD NEEDS (IF YOU LET THE SCHOOL THEY WILL SLIDE THINGS UNDER THE CARPET) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL  YOUR COUNTY "CHILD'S ADVOCATE" THEY CAN HELP YOU OUT A LOT. PUSH FOR YOUR CHILD EDUCATION . DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR A TUTOR OR WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR CHILD. YOU PAY SCHOOL TAXES..GOOD LUCK !

Answer 6

I know where I live, if the school your child attends can't provide the S.E. your child needs ...then they have to pay for him or her to go to a place that can.  

Mainstreaming is, in my opinion, way over rated, special needs are special needs, kids who have special needs do MUCH better amongst their peers.  good luck.

Answer 7

Dispute resolution is rarely successful in my experience. Many parents tend to opt out of it because it is rarely useful. In my expeirnece these situations end up in Due Process. The only way it works if if both parities are willing to give a little at least and that is rarely possible.. if a compromise was attainable I think it would of often been reached before this step in the process. Good luck!