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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Culture in Inclusive Schools: Parental Perspectives on Trusting Family-Professional Partnerships

This qualitative study improves understanding of parent perspectives about the factors that facilitate family-professional partnerships in schools recognized for inclusive practices. Five themes emerged from 11 focus groups consisting of parents of students with and without disabilities and with...Learn more

Engaging Students and Parents in Transition-Focused Individualized Education Programs

*/ [Abstract] The reauthorizations of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act emphasize that students and parents are to be considered equal partners in the individualized education program (IEP) process. This article addresses how to move from compliance with the law to facilitating...Learn more

Establishing a Collaborative School Culture through Comprehensive School Reform

This article advocates comprehensive school reform to develop more inclusive placements and improve outcomes for all students. The process involves professional development toward establishing a more collaborative culture. The important role of leadership in modeling collaboration is covered, with...Learn more

Evaluating the effectiveness of mediation as an alternative to the due process theory in special education. Final Report, 9/1/86-8/31/87.

This study examined the effectiveness of mediation (in comparison with due process hearings) in resolving disputes between parents of children with disabilities and school districts. Respondents (from 10 states) included 35 parents who had taken part in a mediation procedure only; 29 in a mediation...Learn more

Failure to Implement the IEP: The Third Dimension of FAPE Under the IDEA

After distinguishing the development of “failure to implement” (FTI) the individualized education program (IEP) as a third dimension beyond the procedural and substantive dimensions of FAPE (free appropriate public education) first established in Board of Education v. Rowley , this article provides...Learn more

Family Engagement and Children with Disabilities: A Resource Guide for Educators and Parents

This resource guide presents an annotated bibliography on partnerships between families and schools. From p.3: "This annotated bibliography describes resources that can help parents and educators facilitate a comfortable and supportive partnership in the interest of successful outcomes for children...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

Fathers’ Experiences With the Special Education System: The Overlooked Voice

Research about parent experiences with the special education system is largely dominated from mothers’ perspectives. This article will present a qualitative interview study of the overlooked voice: fathers of children with disabilities. Twenty fathers were interviewed about their experiences...Learn more

Fostering Collaboration with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families of Children with Moderate to Severe Disabilities

Abstract: "In this review, challenges to family-school collaboration and a framework describing how special educators can foster a climate of collaboration with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) families of children with moderate to severe disabilities are described. Conditions for...Learn more

From the beginning: What educators and parents of children with special needs do to resolve differences.

How educators and parents of children with special needs resolve differences at the early stages of a dispute is vital to our understanding of how to avoid an escalation of conflict and irreparable damage to this important relationship. This study examines why some disputes between educators and...Learn more

Grievance resolution in special education: A descriptive evaluation of the issues relating to mediation.

The purpose of this study was to identify the issues that arise in schools in relation to grievance in special education and to discover whether mediation may be a useful option in the resolution of grievances. The perspectives of parents of students with disabilities and primary principals were...Learn more

Guiding Principles: A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate and Discipline

[Executive summary - excerpts] Schools must be both safe and supportive for effective teaching and learning to take place. Three key principles can guide efforts to create such productive learning environments. First, work in a deliberate fashion to develop positive and respectful school climates...Learn more

How to avoid the nasty little words, "I'll see you in court!"

The author provides advice for school principals on how to use mediation to avoid litigation over school-related conflicts. The advice incorporates two examples of the effective use of mediation to resolve disputes in school-related conflicts.Learn more

Implementing Restorative Practices: A Case Study of How One Urban High School Approached Alternatives to Punitive Discipline Practices

[abstract] "Over the past 20 years, a serious trend has developed that disconnects too many students from school due to suspensions. Suspensions continue to widen the achievement gap within the educational system. Consistently, African American males are suspended at a much higher rate than the...Learn more

Involving parents of students with special needs: 25 ready to use strategies

This book offers twenty-five strategies through which schools can encourage and support parents' involvement. The author groups these strategies in chapters 2-7 by communication medium (in-person, telephone, written) while chapter 8 emphasizes home-based activities. The closing two chapters move...Learn more

Is mediation a fair way to resolve special education disputes? First empirical findings.

Examines whether special ed. mediations are successful and looks at parents’ and schools’ perceptions of fairness, satisfaction with results, implementation of agreements, and looks at SES of parents, characteristics of children, wealth of districts, and presence of advocates. Authors collected...Learn more

It’s Not the “What,” It’s the “How”: Four Key Behaviors for Authentic Leadership in Early Intervention

This article discusses four key behaviors that are intrinsic to natural, “authentic” leadership, including: 1) exercising influence to reach shared goals, 2) engaging in continuous learning, 3) building and nurturing relationships, and 4) modeling behaviors desired of others. The behaviors...Learn more

Learning From Parents of Children With Disabilities

*/ [Abstract] The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to examine the impact that interactions with parents of children with disabilities might have on 10 graduate students (6 men and 4 women) between the ages of 22 and 32 years (M = 26.7 years, SD = 3.5) enrolled in a 3-week intensive music...Learn more

Learning together with parents of children with disabilities: Bringing parent-professional partnership education to a new level

This article reviews a new approach taken by one teacher education program, through which parents of students with disabilities are engaged as part of a teacher education course on parental involvement for students with disabilities. Comparing this course to other, primarily text-based versions of...Learn more

Legal and Research Considerations regarding the Importance of Developing and Nurturing Trusting Family-Professional Partnerships in Special Education Consultation

Legal options for resolving disputes in special education.

This article describes the legal mechanisms under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 which provide alternatives to litigation and other legal activity. These mechanisms can be used to promote informal resolution of disputes between parents and school officials.Learn more

Local alternative dispute resolution: Best practices in four California special education local plan areas.

The purpose of this study was to determine what were the best practices used by four Special Education Local Plan Areas (SELPAs) in California as they implemented local alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes. Local ADR was also contrasted to state level due process mediations and hearings...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

Measuring Accessibility of Written Communication for Parents of Students With Disabilities: Reviewing 30 Years of Readability Research

Effective communication is essential for successful school–family partnerships. Written communication is most common due to the efficiency of written documents, but challenges include assuring the information disseminated to parents is accessible based on readability, clarity, complexity, and...Learn more

Mediation in Nebraska: An innovative past, a spirited present, and a provocative future.

Pre-IDEA amendment, NE enacted a Special Education Option through the NE Office of Dispute Resolution and Dept. of Ed. The mediation centers under this option provide public outreach, conflict resolution skills training, and mediation services for school districts and families involved in sped...Learn more

Literature Articles

Type

Filter by Process

Sphere

Program Measure

Intended Audience

Specific Emphasis

Format Access

Culture in Inclusive Schools: Parental Perspectives on Trusting Family-Professional Partnerships

Engaging Students and Parents in Transition-Focused Individualized Education Programs

Establishing a Collaborative School Culture through Comprehensive School Reform

Evaluating the effectiveness of mediation as an alternative to the due process theory in special education. Final Report, 9/1/86-8/31/87.

Failure to Implement the IEP: The Third Dimension of FAPE Under the IDEA

Family Engagement and Children with Disabilities: A Resource Guide for Educators and Parents

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

Fathers’ Experiences With the Special Education System: The Overlooked Voice

Fostering Collaboration with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families of Children with Moderate to Severe Disabilities

From the beginning: What educators and parents of children with special needs do to resolve differences.

Grievance resolution in special education: A descriptive evaluation of the issues relating to mediation.

Guiding Principles: A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate and Discipline

How to avoid the nasty little words, "I'll see you in court!"

Implementing Restorative Practices: A Case Study of How One Urban High School Approached Alternatives to Punitive Discipline Practices

Involving parents of students with special needs: 25 ready to use strategies

Is mediation a fair way to resolve special education disputes? First empirical findings.

It’s Not the “What,” It’s the “How”: Four Key Behaviors for Authentic Leadership in Early Intervention

Learning From Parents of Children With Disabilities

Learning together with parents of children with disabilities: Bringing parent-professional partnership education to a new level

Legal and Research Considerations regarding the Importance of Developing and Nurturing Trusting Family-Professional Partnerships in Special Education Consultation

Legal options for resolving disputes in special education.

Local alternative dispute resolution: Best practices in four California special education local plan areas.

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

Measuring Accessibility of Written Communication for Parents of Students With Disabilities: Reviewing 30 Years of Readability Research

Mediation in Nebraska: An innovative past, a spirited present, and a provocative future.

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