Main Library
This library contains CADRE resources as well as State, Lead Agency and Parent Center resources. Please note that CADRE makes no endorsement of the State, Lead Agency and Parent Center resources included here, nor of any policies, procedures, processes, or documents specific to any item.
During this session, we’ll look at data collected between 2004-05 and 2012-13, and highlight different trends in usage and outcomes across the various IDEA dispute resolution processes (i.e., Mediation, Written State Complaints, Due Process Complaints/Hearing Requests and Resolution Meetings). We’ll also discuss benefits to using “upstream” conflict resolution options to resolve disagreements between schools and families as early as possible, and show that a rise in such programs over the past 10 years correlates generally with a decline in the use of more adversarial dispute resolution...
The presentation will open with ideas for ways that School Resource Officers (SROs) can help foster a culture of conflict resolution within schools and can be trained in a better awareness of, and sensitivity to, the needs of students with disabilities and other minority students. Attendees will brainstorm around areas like: common behavioral manifestations of certain disabilities; ways in which SROs can interact with and learn from school personnel and families to better address the needs of students with disabilities; and specific lessons to include in the training of SROs about...
With the creation of the "resolution meeting," codifying that resolution and mediation agreements are enforceable in court and other inartfully worded provisions, Congress has confused many parents, districts, and even third party neutrals regarding the various dispute resolution options and how they might interface. Lyn will go over the options, including the resolution meeting, mediation, and even facilitation and arbitration with regard to how they can be implemented under IDEA 2004. In addition, he will address the status of the parties' various options to have their resolution or...
This presentation will focus on the following three broad areas. • Training the advocates of tomorrow: Role of Students Discussion surrounding the law school's students and the experiential learning atmosphere Provides lawyers with a broader view of best practices in regards to client advocacy. • SEA/Contractor Relations Law school clinics are uniquely qualified to administer the program Independent from schools and parent organizations Provides separation from State Complaint process and Due Process hearings Parents and the school districts feel comfortable using the services • Quality...
Despite some of the efforts currently in place throughout educational systems to follow IDEA mandates to ensure that parent participation is encouraged, there continue to be some factors that influence the overall participation of parents in the IEP process. These factors may negatively impact the overall educational outcomes of student’s success in their educational journeys. Some of the factors that have been reported to prevent the active participation of culturally and linguistically diverse families have been language barriers, accessibility to attend meetings, and feeling unwelcomed and...
Jim will review what is meant by “maximization” as a theoretic basis for mediation. Jim will identify specific maximizing approaches and discuss mediator strategy generally. The session will conclude with a review of Jim’s 10 favorite mediation techniques.
Presenter: Lyn Beekman , Special Education Solutions, Okemos, MI Given the extensive IEP process that typically precedes a mediation, as well as the potential hearing process that may follow, Lyn believes consideration should be given to modifying some of the "steps" or approaches that are traditionally a part of the mediation process. In addition, there are a variety of dispute scenarios which arise with some frequency and Lyn will offer some practical suggestions on how mediators might assist the parties in resolving them. Examples will include disputes concerning one-on-one versus program...
Given the extensive IEP process that typically precedes a mediation, as well as the potential hearing process that may follow, Lyn believes consideration should be given to modifying some of the "steps" or approaches that are traditionally a part of the mediation process. In addition, there are a variety of dispute scenarios which arise with some frequency and Lyn will offer some practical suggestions on how mediators might assist the parties in resolving them. Examples will include disputes concerning one-on-one versus program aides, disability related harassment, eligibility, and the...
This session will help untangle the factors that sometimes cause emotions to flare, and will teach participants new tools both for understanding heated situations and for resolving them. Among other things, we'll discuss how natural emotions are; understand the neurology of conflict (and of conflict resolution); normalize behaviors that seem "crazy"; offer role models (including Clarence, the nightshirt-wearing angel from "It's A Wonderful Life"!) for rising above conflict while remaining fully engaged and compassionate; find the Zen master inside ourselves who can react appropriately even...
Presenters: Greg Abell , Sounds Options Group, Bainbridge Island, WA Anita Engiles , Mediation Specialist, CADRE, Eugene, OR Pamela Kraynak , Legal and Policy Program Associate, Northeast Regional Resource Center, Williston, VT Michael Opuda , Special Education Consultant, Drummond, Woodsum & MacMahon , Portland, ME Edie Primm , Senior Advisor, Justice Center of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA While a variety of outcomes are a reflection of successful mediation, a written agreement remains the fundamental centerpiece of this process and is a requirement under the mediation provisions of the IDEA...
While a variety of outcomes are a reflection of successful mediation, a written agreement remains the fundamental centerpiece of this process and is a requirement under the mediation provisions of the IDEA. This panel of experts will examine the various dimensions of mediation agreements and the relationship that well-written agreements have to implementation of the negotiated outcome. Additionally, aspects of advocacy, legal representation, monitoring and enforceability will be discussed.
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) runs 194 schools worldwide for eligible dependents of active duty and DoD civilians who reside on military installations and is subject to the special education requirements of IDEA. The military and it's families have a unique culture which has strong affects on the K-12 education of military dependents. Students and their families experience high mobility, potential enrollment in both the DoDEA and various public school systems, and the deployment of parents to war zones. The educational programs of special education students need to be...
Explore the ethical issues and practical questions surrounding the competing mediation models. Who “owns” mediation? Even if mediation participants are familiar with these options, that familiarity in and of itself, will not help them predict the mediator’s approach. What are the differences between the approaches at the macro and micro levels? Do they matter? In the real world, each party desires the mediator to be “facilitative” with them and “evaluative” of the other side’s position. To resolve this dilemma, a mediator must explain the process of mediation in such a way as to conform the...
Lately, the news is full of articles and research on mindfulness meditation. Everyone from Oprah to ABC News anchor Dan Harris is talking about it. But what is it, and how can it help reduce conflict? How can it be applied to dispute resolution between schools and families? This session will include: The latest research on mindfulness meditation as it applies to health, relationships, schools, conflict reduction, and parenting; Mindfulness instruction and practice; and A discussion of the application of mindfulness to reduce conflict in varied settings, including IEP meetings.
IEP meetings pose a number of challenges to parents and school/district personnel alike. Successful IEP meetings require effective communication, organization, and collaboration. This presentation will focus on how the South Carolina Department of Education, Office of Exceptional Children, is helping IEP teams across the state build consensus by way of facilitation while expanding the state’s early conflict resolution repertoire. Facilitators are third-party neutrals who assist the IEP team to be student-focused, maintain open communication, and reach agreement. Facilitation is offered at no...
Participants in this session will learn how Washington DC, a large urban jurisdiction with a large charter school sector and the country’s highest ratio of lawyers to the general population, is moving toward less adversarial, more student-led and family-friendly dispute resolution options. Panelists representing both government and community organizations will discuss the new programs and the challenges faced by our community as we move to less adversarial processes, strive to maintain accountability, and coordinate across a complex, urban landscape. Questions we will explore include: How do...
Presenters: Gail Nugent , Mediator / Trainer, Institute for Administrative Justice, San Diego, CA Elaine Talley , Mediator / Trainer, Institute for Administrative Justice, Davis, CA The presenters will review the current theory on communication to provide strategies for working effectively in difficult situations. Participants will learn about: managing strong emotions yours and theirs; making it safe to talk about anything; how the self-image of participants affects the conversation; and identifying assumptions that keep people stuck. This interactive workshop will use clips from popular...
The presenters will review the current theory on communication to provide strategies for working effectively in difficult situations. Participants will learn about: managing strong emotions yours and theirs; making it safe to talk about anything; how the self-image of participants affects the conversation; and identifying assumptions that keep people stuck. This interactive workshop will use clips from popular media to illustrate problems that may arise in special education disputes and will focus on providing suggestions on how to effectively work with school staff, parents, and advocates...
Many families are experiencing crisis at a time when resources are stretched thin. How do we find the time, energy, and resources to meaningfully engage the diverse families in our community in a way that leads to better outcomes for students with disabilities? This interactive presentation will focus on strategies that move random and isolated family engagement efforts toward systemic, integrated, responsive, and sustainable approaches that have a high impact on home-school relationships and student outcomes. Local and state examples of these high impact strategies will be shared and...
To review the session handout(s), click on the icon below: Greg Abell Session 1.1 - Presentation.ppt Presenter: Greg Abell , Sound Options Group, LLC, Bainbridge Island, WA Meetings, meetings, and more meetings. As parents and professionals navigating the complex world of special education, we are asked to participate in what seems to be an unlimited number of meetings. At times these gatherings produce increased learning and understanding, helping us to better address the special needs of children and families. At other times, we leave frustrated as our expectations for the time spent are...
The 2004 amendments to IDEA changed the law to add additional qualifications for hearing officers. A hearing officer must now have the ability to conduct hearings and write decisions according to standard legal practice as well as be knowledgeable of special education law. IDEA §615(f)(3)(A). This session explores the options that a state dispute resolution system may utilize to ensure compliance with the new requirements. Among the options that will be discussed are the training, certification and evaluation of hearing officers. Although the law does not address the training requirements for...
Implicit bias is a human trait that is a result of the brain's need to categorize information in order to make quick decisions. One of the unintended consequences of implicit bias is that it can lead to marginalized groups remaining disadvantaged. In the case of the hearing officer, this unintended consequence can negatively impact fairness within the testimony of parents and districts. In order to be your most effective self as a hearing officer, you must be able to acknowledge where those biases arise. This presentation will address ways that implicit bias can surface in hearing decisions...
This workshop will help us understand all of our different responses to anxiety, and also learn how we can model more effective behaviors to children. The IEP process can be the perfect time to teach children about collaborative, inclusive, interest-based decision making. As children observe effective techniques for dealing with anxiety, they will be better equipped for handling conflicts in the classroom and their family. Research covered will include causes for these conflict triggers i.e. lack of knowledge about the topic, pre-programmed opposition, a misunderstanding of the message of the...