Facilitation: One Path to Success For New Resolution Session?

A resolution session brings together educators and parents who disagree on certain issues. The concept was introduced in the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to give the parties involved an additional opportunity to resolve their issues together. The law requires that the session quickly follow the filing of a due process hearing complaint, which indicates an impasse.

Asking a neutral facilitator to assist with a resolution session may help break the impasse. A facilitator can suggest ground rules for the conversation, foster a sense of fairness by ensuring that each party has an equal opportunity to be heard, and encourage frank discussions focused on the child. These steps alone can sometimes lead to a constructive outcome.

Should the parties prefer to waive the resolution session and use mediation as permitted under the IDEA, the facilitator can help with arrangements.

Michigan Special Education Mediation Program (MSEMP) facilitators are trained in special education law, facilitation, and mediation. Facilitators understand the differences between a resolution session and mediation under the IDEA. They can

immediately serve as mediators if the parties wish, or provide the MSEMP roster for selecting a different mediator.

The resolution session is one more tool for reaching agreement. Facilitation can help the process realize its full potential.

Additional Services

Additional information about parent-school collaboration is available from the Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education. Check the CADRE Web site for more information. Facilitated IEP Meetings: An Emerging Practice Reuniones de IEP Facilitadas: Una Nueva Opcion From Regulation to Resolution: Emerging Practices in Special Education Dispute Resolution Families and Schools: Resolving Disputes through Mediation Las Familias y Las Escuelas: Resolviendo las Disputas atreves de la Mediacion Parents and Educators Working Toward Mutual Solutions (Video)