Successfully resolving conflicts and communicating well throughout a child’s educational experience is more likely when everyone has developed the skills to do so. The Office for Dispute Resolution has provided conflict resolution training since 2002. More recently, in 2008, ODR joined a national effort led by CADRE and the IDEA Partnership to build capacity for early dispute resolution by implementing “Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Training for Parents and Educators”. ODR has been the lead state in the nation for its investment in delivering Creating Agreement training to school and family communities across the commonwealth, and has trained in excess of 2,000 participants. "Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Skills for Parents and Educators” is a one-day workshop to help parents and educators enhance communication and problem-solving skills, and facilitate resolutions to disagreements about special education.
System Oversight, Infrastructure and Organization: 

System Design/Management:

“Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Skills for Parents and Educators” includes skill-building sessions with interactive discussions based on relevant special education scenarios. The format follows a “hands-on” style of instruction. Designed for a “mixed” audience of educators and parents, the program supports long-term conflict resolution success. 

Program sessions are based on a six-step conflict resolution process that can be implemented at the local level…

  • Set the stage for positive outcomes.
  • Listen and tell – the imperative tools.
  • Clarify the issues – positions vs. interests.
  • Generate options.
  • Evaluate options.
  • Move forward.

Personnel

“Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Skills for Parents and Educators” is presented by trainers from the Office for Dispute Resolution. Presenters have diverse backgrounds that include experience in conflict resolution, special education, and services to families and schools. Some presenters have family members with disabilities.

Miscellaneous

“Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Skills for Parents and Educators” is designed for…

  • Parents
  • Teachers
  • Principals
  • Administrators
  • Agency Staff
  • Advocates


The workshop may be sponsored by school districts, intermediate units, parent groups or educational agencies. The Office for Dispute Resolution charges no fee for this training. 

Participants in “Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Skills for Parents and Educators” will…

Examine the value of discovering a person’s interests underlying his/her position.
Discuss strategies to solve disputes at the local level.
Identify constructive ways to respond to conflict.
Identify different methods of conflict management.
Examine a six-step conflict resolution process.
Demonstrate the use of communication and conflict management skills to promote positive outcomes.

Public Awareness & Outreach Activities: 

Availability/Accessing Services:

To schedule this training program or to discuss how this workshop can be designed to meet your organization’s specific needs, contact the Office for Dispute Resolution at (717) 901-2168.

Materials/Activities:

PA-167 Creating Agreement brochure 2015

PDF icon Download PA-167 Creating Agreement brochure 2015.pdf (711.14 KB)

PA-252 Creating Agreement brochure SPANISH 2015

PDF icon Download PA-252 Creating Agreement brochure SPANISH 2015.pdf (680.19 KB)
Evaluation & Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): 

Evaluation

Participants in “Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Skills for Parents and Educators” have said…

  • “Excellent information regarding different points of view and finding underlying issues in conflicts
  • “Valuable opportunities to role play and work out solutions.”
  • “The clarification of positions and interests is so important!”
  • “Conflict resolution training is applicable for various situations.”
  • “An excellent and needed workshop.”

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Program Contact

Samantha Pudloski
Pennsylvania Office for Dispute Resolution
http://odr-pa.org/trainings/