SUPPORTING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS

The federal special education law called the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) provides parents with specific dispute resolution protections. However, navigating the dispute resolution processes outlined in the IDEA can be difficult for families, resulting in significant costs of money and relationships with school personnel. This article provides an overview of the dispute resolution options and draws on existing research to provide recommendations for how families can more effectively navigate this system.
As schools and families work together to create special education plans and services that best serves the child, what seemed right a few months ago may no longer fit. Sometimes, [...]