ADR in Special Education - How to Build Trust in a Mediation System When Distrust Abounds

This presentation will allow participants to interact with each other about the elements of a mediation system that builds state-wide trust in it's system and the mediation process. Participants will discuss with the presenters and one another: How do you know if stakeholders trust your state's ADR system? How do you involve stakeholders? What examples can you share about your system's transparency? In what ways have you experienced optimism in your system? How have stakeholder evaluations changed your system? How does your state try to assure implementation of the agreement? What are the next steps you would recommend for increasing trust in your state? Participant outcomes: Participants will examine the trust level in their state's mediation system. Participants will gain knowledge from the presenters and other participants in how trust in a mediation system is established. Participants will consider their system's feedback loop and whether or not it is what they want it to be. Participants will identify some of the next steps they would recommend for increasing trust in their system and their mediation process. Our goal is to assist states in developing mediation systems where all parties feel safe and trust themselves to the possibilities of mediation. A mediation system that cares about its reputation, the quality of its process and its feedback loop can open up the process to all stakeholders.