Literature Articles

This searchable database contains bibliographic information for literature (research-based and policy/practice) relating to dispute resolution in special education.

CADRE is interested in identifying additional articles and publications to include in this database. If you are aware of other such resources, please send an email to cadre@directionservice.org with as much information as possible about the resource (e.g., title, author, source, date), and include a copy of the publication or a URL link, if available. Interested in emerging research and knowledge gaps in IDEA dispute resolution?

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A comparison of parents who initiated due process hearings and complaints in Maine.

This study explored the differences between parents who had initiated hearings and complaints and their perceptions of the processes. A document review, structured telephone interview, and focus group meetings were used to gather data. The subjects were 29 parents who had initiated complains and 31...Learn more

A Longitudinal Study of Special Education Due Process Hearings in Massachusetts: Issues, Representation, and Student Characteristics

[Abstract] "Of the three formal dispute resolution procedures provided by the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA), due process hearings are the most costly in terms of time, fiscal resources, and impact on relationships between school personnel and parents. This study...Learn more

A Study of Factors that Contribute to Conflicts in Special Education between Parents and Schools: A Validation of Lake and Billingsley's Theory

[Abstract] This quantitative research conducted in Southern California validated Lake and Billingsley’s (2000) Grounded Theory regarding factors causing conflicts in special education. This study found that discrepant views of a child or child’s needs, knowledge, service delivery, constraints,...Learn more

An Exploration of the Dynamics and Collaboration within IEP Teams

[abstract] The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) (2004) mandates the establishment of an educational team that convenes once a year if not more to review and adjust each exceptional student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). There are a variety of social and...Learn more

Analysis of Special Education Mediations in Texas, 2006-08

The purpose of this study was to explore variables which might influence the frequency of Texas special education mediations used for dispute resolution. Variables such as district size, location, economic level, and the State Accountability Rating were investigated and evaluated. In order to...Learn more

Challenges Providing Services to K-12 English Learners and Students with Disabilities during COVID-19

Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, almost all school districts rapidly shifted to distance learning in spring of the 2019-2020 school year. This shift laid bare both the logistical and instructional challenges of distance learning, particularly for English learners and...Learn more

Developing positive school–home relationships through structured conversations with parents of learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

[Abstract] Parents play a crucial role in their children's education, and their active involvement can lead to better outcomes. However, evidence suggests that parental engagement and confidence among perhaps the most vulnerable group of learners – those with special educational needs and...Learn more

Disability and the Education System

[Summary in journal] Aron and Loprest trace the evolution of the special education system in the United States from its origins in the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century. They note the dual character of federal legislation, which both guarantees eligible children with disabilities...Learn more

Disciplinary Trends in Boston Area Schools: Programming to Improve Conflict Resolution Practices and Close the Education Gap

[Abstract] Research shows disproportionate rates of suspensions and expulsions for youth of color and youth with special needs. Removing these students from schools at higher rates reinforces the education gap and puts them at a sustained disadvantage academically and socially. This thesis explores...Learn more

Evaluation of Family Empowerment Centers.

This report synthesizes the quantitative and qualitative evaluation data related to Family Empowerment Centers (FEC) in California. Data was obtained from surveys of parents and professionals, parent focus groups, and interviews with FEC center directors, center personnel, and other professionals...Learn more

Examining the Impact of Special Education Dispute Resolution in Pennsylvania

UMI Number: 3510696 [Excerpts from abstract] "If a disagreement arises between parents and their school district, either party may request a special education due process hearing. However, several alternate options are available and encouraged for parties to consider for resolution of conflicts...Learn more

Facilitating the Effective Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices Through Teacher-Parent Collaboration

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become a popular term in education. Although most special education stakeholders share a general notion that evidence-based practice refers to instruction that is supported in some manner by research, (a) those promoting practices and products often use the term...Learn more

Father Involvement in Early Intervention: Exploring the Gap Between Service Providers’ Perceptions and Practices

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine early intervention (EI) service providers’ perceptions of the roles played by fathers in services, as well as their perceptions of the barriers that limit fathers from being engaged in the services provided for families of children with...Learn more

IDEA Written State Complaints: Making the System More Accessible, Responsive and Equitable for Students with Disabilities

Identifying the Associated Factors of Mediation and Due Process in Families of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

[Abstract] "Compared to families of students with other types of disabilities, families of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are significantly more likely to enact their procedural safeguards such as mediation and due process. However, we do not know which school, child, and parent...Learn more

Maryland Special Education Due Process Decisions: A Closer Look at the Issues and Outcomes

School districts are responsible for providing eligible students with disabilities with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Parents of eligible students with disabilities have three complaint mechanisms available when there are disputes with the school district regarding FAPE. One of those...Learn more

Mediation in special education: Two states' experiences.

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,...Learn more

National Trends in the Frequency and Outcomes of Hearing and Review Officer Decisions Under the IDEA: An Empirical Analysis

This article presents trends in hearing/review officer decisions under IDEA. Employing a sample of 361 cases from around the country, drawn randomly from thirty-five years of cases published in the Individuals with Disabilities Law Report, this research documents that a handful of jurisdictions...Learn more

Parents’ Experiences as Predictors of State Accountability Measures of Schools’ Facilitation of Parent Involvement

[Abstract] "The aim of this study was to ascertain which dimensions of parents’ experiences with schools are most strongly associated with parents’ perceptions that schools are or are not facilitating parent involvement as mandated by the federal accountability system under the Individuals With...Learn more

Representation in Mediation: What We Know from Empirical Research

This article provides an overview of research on representation in mediation, presenting both original research and a review of existing studies. With a primary focus on court-connected civil cases, Wissler explains "different mediation programs appear to have reached different conclusions about...Learn more

Review of Practices That Promote Self-Advocacy for Students With Disabilities

[Abstract] Self-advocacy skills for students with disabilities have been linked to elevated school retention rates and more successful adult outcomes. Test, Fowler, Brewer, and Wood examined evidence of self-advocacy practices published from 1972 to June 2004. As an update to their study, we...Learn more

See You in Court! How to Avoid IDEA Transition–Related Mediations and Due Process Hearings

School compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) transition services language requirements in this country has been an issue of concern to parents of students with disabilities as well as special education attorneys and advocates for quite some time. Evidence exists in...Learn more

Special Education Directors’ Experiences Preventing and Responding To Requests for Due Process Hearings

This qualitative research study was conducted to (1) identify the leadership actions special education directors took to increase cooperation and mitigate conflict between families and schools and (2) analyze what special education directors experienced after receiving requests for impartial due...Learn more

The Broken Compass: Parental Involvement With Children's Education

[Abstract from publisher] "It seems like common sense that children do better when parents are actively involved in their schooling. But how well does the evidence stack up? The Broken Compass puts this question to the test in the most thorough scientific investigation to date of how parents across...Learn more

The Facilitated Individualized Education Program Process: State Perspectives

[Abstract] Conflict between parents and school personnel continues to be an area of concern for students with disabilities, despite efforts by lawmakers to provide more parental input into the process of identification and continuation of special education services. Recent data suggest that...Learn more

Literature Articles

Type

Filter by Process

Sphere

Program Measure

Intended Audience

Specific Emphasis

Format Access

A comparison of parents who initiated due process hearings and complaints in Maine.

A Longitudinal Study of Special Education Due Process Hearings in Massachusetts: Issues, Representation, and Student Characteristics

A Study of Factors that Contribute to Conflicts in Special Education between Parents and Schools: A Validation of Lake and Billingsley's Theory

An Exploration of the Dynamics and Collaboration within IEP Teams

Analysis of Special Education Mediations in Texas, 2006-08

Challenges Providing Services to K-12 English Learners and Students with Disabilities during COVID-19

Developing positive school–home relationships through structured conversations with parents of learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

Disability and the Education System

Disciplinary Trends in Boston Area Schools: Programming to Improve Conflict Resolution Practices and Close the Education Gap

Evaluation of Family Empowerment Centers.

Examining the Impact of Special Education Dispute Resolution in Pennsylvania

Facilitating the Effective Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices Through Teacher-Parent Collaboration

Father Involvement in Early Intervention: Exploring the Gap Between Service Providers’ Perceptions and Practices

IDEA Written State Complaints: Making the System More Accessible, Responsive and Equitable for Students with Disabilities

Identifying the Associated Factors of Mediation and Due Process in Families of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Maryland Special Education Due Process Decisions: A Closer Look at the Issues and Outcomes

Mediation in special education: Two states' experiences.

National Trends in the Frequency and Outcomes of Hearing and Review Officer Decisions Under the IDEA: An Empirical Analysis

Parents’ Experiences as Predictors of State Accountability Measures of Schools’ Facilitation of Parent Involvement

Representation in Mediation: What We Know from Empirical Research

Review of Practices That Promote Self-Advocacy for Students With Disabilities

See You in Court! How to Avoid IDEA Transition–Related Mediations and Due Process Hearings

Special Education Directors’ Experiences Preventing and Responding To Requests for Due Process Hearings

The Broken Compass: Parental Involvement With Children's Education

The Facilitated Individualized Education Program Process: State Perspectives

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