Early Dispute Resolution

The Early Dispute Resolution Project at CDE:

In 2013, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) recognized, from parent and educator feedback, the need for more options to prevent IEP’s from moving into contentious and costly dispute processes AND result in better outcomes for students. The Early Dispute Resolution Advisory Board was formed to look at best practices across the United States in early dispute resolution and decide where Colorado should start. As a result of the Advisory Board work, it was decided that IEP Facilitation was a highly promising practice that could work well in Colorado’s local control model. Use the buttons below to learn more about the project.

• Facilitated IEP Meetings Brochure (PDF)
• IEP Facilitation Request Form (DOCX)

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Additional Resources:

• The Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Education (CADRE) is a national center that has many resources for "Encouraging the use of mediation and other collaborative strategies to resolve disagreements about special education and early intervention programs."
• Working Together is a collection of CADRE video resources on Listening, Positions & Interests, and a Tale of Two Conversations that are designed to support effective communication and collaboration between parents, schools, and early childhood programs.
• Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators/Facilitators
• PEAK Parent Center