Disagreements may arise between parents and the school district about a child's program. It is important that disagreements be settled in a spirit of mutual respect and open communications. If an impasse is reached, IDEA provides parents the right to challenge school district's actions through the dispute resolution procedures described below. It involves an impartial hearing officer or panel of impartial hearing officers deciding one or more disputes about a child's special education needs based on the evidence presented by the parents and the school district at a hearing. If either side disagrees with the decision, it can be appealed.
Mediation is an informal way to resolve disputes.
A trained mediator assists the parents and school district reach an agreement to resolve the dispute. If agreement is reached, a mediation agreement is put into writing and signed by both parties. A complaint investigation is another formal way to resolve disputes. Parents can challenge what they believe is a school district's violation of federal or state special education law or regulations with respect to their child by sending the State Department of Education a written complaint. The State Department of Education conducts an investigation and issues a letter of findings.