If the district goes to a due process hearing and the hearing officer says the district is right, the parents may still have an IEE done, but then the parents pay for it. No matter who pays for an IEE, parents can bring the results to the IEP team. The IEP team must talk about the results of the IEE as it makes special education decisions. Parents can also use the results of an IEE they paid for in a due process hearing. If a hearing officer orders an IEE as part of a due process hearing, the district must pay for it.
Mediation involves a mediator, who helps parents and districts solve problems in a private setting.
The mediator does not make a decision for the parents or the district. The mediator helps the district and parents work together to look at the problem, make choices, and make a solution. The goal of mediation is a written agreement. Mediated resolutions must be consistent with the law. Mediation can help solve disagreements about whether or not the child has a disability, evaluation and testing, placement in special education, free appropriate public education, or any other special education issue.