This process refers to special education mediation required under federal law. While states are required to offer a process that meets the statutory and regulatory requirements, there is considerable flexibility as to how states provide mediation services. This flexibility includes the selection, training and evaluation of practitioners who serve in the role of mediator and the manner in which the program is administered. State education agencies typically provide this process through one of four different approaches. Most states contract individually with private practitioners, a few states contract with their state-wide network of community mediation programs, and others contract with an organizational provider, such as a different state agency or institution of higher learning, often accessing institutional expertise in mediation and dispute resolution. Two states contract with a for-profit mediation firm through an RFP process. 

Iowa's Special Education Mediators: Potted Plants Negotiating for a Place in the Sunlight, a Qualitative Examination of Personal Philosophy and Perceived Power

Dr. Susan Etscheidt will begin our presentation by introducing the dispute resolution options offered in the state of Iowa. In addition to highlighting the conflict resolution continuum for special education related disputes, Dr. Etscheidt will share the state's impressive statistics for pre-appeals, hearing, and mediations. She will then highlight the issues of the last ten hearings and the implications for these hearings in relevant case law. Amber Benedict will share her master's thesis research findings on Iowa's state special education mediators exploring their perceptions on power and...

Interest Based Mediation

Interest-based mediation sits two stakeholders with or without their problem-solving attorneys at a table along with a mediator to solve a problem.

Alternative Mediation Strategies for the Advanced Level Practitioner

This 3 hour interactive presentation explores a variety of strategies found in systems thinking that merit discussion regarding the practicality of incorporating one or more of the strategies into special education mediation. There are occasions in special education where the mediation or resolution of conflict involves a group of interested persons who are jointly engaged in conflict with a school district. In that case, the typical mediation strategies may not be as appropriate or may need enhancement. Conflict within an organization (school system) may be due to disagreement over the scope...

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