Arkansas Special Education Mediation Project
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The Arkansas Special Education Mediation Project is one of several projects in the Bowen School of Law Clinical Programs. This project uses practicing, trained professional mediators. They are familiar with the laws and policies affecting educational services for children with disabilities. Their goal is to help parties more quickly find effective solutions to the problems confronting them. Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education Unit.
What is Special Education Mediation?
Meeting the individual needs of a student with disabilities is a challenge. Sometimes the result does not satisfy everyone. This can lead to an impasse between parents and the school. Mediation is an informal, yet structured, process that brings together parents and educators to work with each other to resolve disagreements about a child’s special education needs.
Special education mediation is voluntary and confidential. A neutral party, the mediator, helps parents and school districts to focus on the best interests of the student, identify issues, discuss viewpoints, generate options, and create solutions agreeable to all. The mediator does not make a decision for the parties as a judge or a due process hearing officer do. A Guide for Parents (pdf) provides more details about the mediation process.
What is a Mediator?
A mediator is an open-minded third person who guides a conversation between the various participants to make sure that it runs smoothly. A mediator helps the parties find their own solution. A mediator is not a judge. A mediator does not decide how the parties will work out their problem. A mediator will not give legal, financial, or professional advice.
Mediation Forms
Parental Request for Mediation (pdf)
School Request for Mediation (pdf)
Agreement to Mediate (pdf)
Contact Information
The project director is Kelly Browe Olson, Assistant Professor and Director of Clinical Programs. Professor Olson teaches in the Mediation Clinic and in the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Children and the Law, and Family Law. Nancy Mathews is the Bowen School of Law Mediator/Instructor for the project. Terry Harrison, Mediation Office Administrator, schedules the mediations.
Arkansas Special Education
Mediation Project
UALR Bowen School of Law
1201 McMath Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72202-5142
Phone: 501-324-9939
Fax: 501-324-9911
E-mail: SpEdMeD8@ualr.edu
Toll free: 1-866-273-3959
Revised: 10/11/2006