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 [email protected] 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?

Literature Articles are currently under maintenance. Functionality is limited.

Students with Disabilities.

The author discusses 2002 litigation over the rights of students with disabilities. He examines cases involving entitlement to services, procedural safeguards, dispute resolution, placement, discipline, remedies for school boards' failure to provide a free appropriate public education, and other...
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Support and empower families of children with disabilities.

This article offers strategies and suggestions to assist special education professionals in their attempts to support and empower families of children with disabilities.
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Sustaining Programs of School, Family, and Community Partnerships A Qualitative Longitudinal Study of Two Districts

[abstract] This study draws from four years of qualitative case study data to describe how programmatic and district factors interacted to affect reform sustainability in two school districts—one urban and the other suburban. These districts have been implementing a reform developed by the National...
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Taking the plunge: How do waste management disputants decide whether to use ADR?

This paper examines the incentives and disincentives for disputants in waste management conflicts to participate in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes such as negotiation, facilitation and mediation. Twenty-four cases in which ADR was applied to a waste management conflict in Ontario or...
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Testing models of justice and trust: A study of mediation in child dependency disputes.

This study randomly assigned 200 parents to mediation (facilitated by master's-level social workers) or to pretrial conferences (guided by judges) to examine the effects of the dispute resolution methods on the attitudes of parents in child dependency disputes. The study also examined theories from...
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The “New” Section 504: Student Issues in the Wake of the ADAAA

[abstract] School leaders are familiar with the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, but they also need to be legally literate about Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This need is particularly pressing in the wake of significant recent changes in Section 504 as a result of the Americans...
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The 5-Point Plan: Fostering Successful Partnerships With Families of Students With Disabilities

This article outlines five key points for educators to create effective relationships with families, providing both discussion and illustrations for each: 1. Be positive, proactive, and solution oriented. 2. Respect families' roles and cultural backgrounds in their children's lives. 3. Communicate...
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The ADA mediation guidelines: A community collaboration moves the field forward.

Describes development of guidelines for ADA mediations. Guidelines have increased participation of people w/disabilities in mediations. The mediator training includes a disability awareness component, an explanation of ADA mediation practice issues, and four-hour courses in disability law. Mentions...
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The Broken Compass: Parental Involvement With Children's Education

[Abstract from publisher] "It seems like common sense that children do better when parents are actively involved in their schooling. But how well does the evidence stack up? The Broken Compass puts this question to the test in the most thorough scientific investigation to date of how parents across...
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The critical nature of collaboration in special education: An analysis of the IDEA

The Effectiveness of Alternative IEP Dispute Resolution Practices

Alternative Individualized Education Program (IEP) dispute resolution models should respond to limitations of current options. An experimental IEP dispute resolution program provides parents and schools with an evidence-supported neutral perspective on what is needed for free and appropriate...
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The Effects of Educational Policy and Local Context on Special Education Students’ Experiences of School Removal and Transition

[abstract] This article examines school removals and transitions among nine special education students. First, the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the local school discipline policy and special education contexts are discussed. Next, drawing from participants’ narrative...
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The efficacy of mediation in the resolution of parent-school special education disputes. Report from Rutgers: A working paper series.

The study reported here focused on whether some special education disputes are resolved more effectively and efficiently by mediation than by a due process hearing, and whether parents and school officials feel satisfied about the process, outcome, and implementation of the agreement. Researchers...
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