Facilitation - Michigan

Facilitation refers to the use of specialized skills to run a meeting in a fair, inclusive and organized fashion. It can be used in any IFSP or IEPT. A meeting leader may employ facilitation skills or a neutral third-party facilitator may be asked to do so. IEP team meetings are numerous, have numerous participants and tackle numerous, complex issues. Conversation in such meetings can be aided by a neutral facilitator. A facilitator can: Ensure that everyone has a chance to speak Ensure that all concerns and ideas are recorded and considered Help resolve differences of opinion that arise at the table IEP team leaders can ask facilitators to manage meetings so they can concentrate on the issues and the discussion. Leaders and members alike may find a facilitator useful in keeping meetings productive and organized. With a facilitator, IEP Team members can more effectively: Focus on the issues and student benefits Make better use of each others' knowledge and expertise Address conflict constructively and generate creative options Manage the use of the meeting time