The report examines the use by two state governments of mediation to resolve disputes between schools and parents of handicapped children. Officials, parents, educators, and legal personnel from California and Massachusetts were interviewed, mediations were observed, mediation agreements examined, and statistics reviewed. A typical case illustrates the mediation process. Findings revealed a striking uniformity in process in the two states as well as in the identity of the disputants. The proportion of disputes successfully resolved in mediation has increased from 1981-1983 in California, and has been holding steady in Massachusetts since 1983. It was evident that overall, disputants are extremely satisfied with the mediation process, although parents clearly feel the schools have significantly more power than do parents. It is suggested that mediation is a success in resolving disputes because it nurtures rather than destroys trust and cooperation among people interested in special education.(ERIC)
The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education
Supporting the prevention and resolution of disputes through partnership and collaboration