Leadership strategies to prevent special education litigation

Just as divorcing parents should try to resolve their differences amicably, schools and families must also recognize that it is in their child’s best interest not to have the adults in their lives overwhelmed by conflict. When disagreements between schools and families deteriorate into lawsuits, collateral harm is exacerbated. Adversarial relationships often negatively impact the student’s education, as well as damage the relationships and well-being of the student’s family and school staff for years to come. Litigation is time-consuming, expensive, and emotionally draining. It is imperative that school leaders are informed because conflicts are on the rise. If the relationship is already adversarial, schools can work with a trained, uninvested third party to facilitate the IEP meeting. Therefore, before disagreements arise or worsen at IEP meetings, school employees should foster positive school-family relationships. In addition schools should be sure to follow the legally mandated procedures for the meeting.