Special Education Mediation
Special education mediation convenes parent(s) or guardian(s) of a student with a disability, and representatives of the school district with the objective of resolving substantive, communicative, and relational issues. By asking questions and discussing all information with both parties, the mediator assists the parties in reaching a more complete understanding of each other's concerns. The objective is to agree upon a special education program for the student in a cooperative and timely manner. At the conclusion of mediation, a written agreement is developed. Though agreements reached in mediation are binding upon all parties, parents and representatives of school districts are in no way obligated to agree to services or programs that they do not feel are appropriate for the student. Discussions that take place during mediation are confidential and cannot be used as evidence in any impartial hearing or subsequent adjudicatory processes.