Sometimes a dispute can be resolved through negotiation at an IEP meeting.

IEP Faciliation, Mediation, and Resolution Meeting are all forms of negotiation before a complaint goes to Due Process.

All negotiation options are voluntary and at not cost to the parents.

Both Mediation and a Resolution Meeting provide a signed, legally enforceable, written
agreement but the Resolution Meeting also resolves issues addressed in the due process complaint.

IEP Facilitation is an optional early resolution process where an impartial facilitator assists the IEP team with communication and problem solving.

IEP Facilitation can be helpful when the presence of a neutral third party is beneficial to keep the meeting focused on supporting the student.

This can build and improve relationships among IEP team members.

Parents and the school district must agree to use IEP facilitation.

A voluntary process that brings people together with a mediator, who helps them communicate with each other and resolve
their disagreements.

Can help resolve disagreements more quickly than other options.

Mediation discussions are confidential.

A parent or school district may request mediation. A state educational agency may also recommend this, as an alternative to a more formal process.

Provides a chance for the parent and school district to work together to resolve issues prior to a due process hearing.

The school district must hold a resolution meeting within 15 calendar days of receiving notice of a parent’s due process complaint/hearing request.

Discussions at the resolution meeting are not confidential, and you cannot be required to sign a confidentiality form to participate in the meeting.

Due process starts with a complaint and results in a decision after a hearing.

A process used to resolve a formal complaint made by a parent or public agency (e.g., school district), who are
together referred to as “the parties.”

The decision is made by a hearing officer or administrative law judge who is not involved in the child’s education.