By Jose L. Martin, Esq.

Resolving disputes with parents before the due process stage can improve parent-district relations, reduce staff downtime and prevent lengthy due process hearings and lawsuits -- especially important with the skyrocketing costs of special education litigation.

In this just-updated resource, noted school law attorney Jose Martín gives you the practical perspective on resolving special education disputes informally and in formal mediation sessions. With strategies separated into those to use when parents do and do not have legal representation, you know the best way to handle the two very different situations.

Generate win-win solutions with the latest advice on how to:

• Use independent educational evaluations to help resolve difficult issues
• Prepare for mediation sessions, including planning for offers and counteroffers
• Assign parent mentors to parents in need
• Distinguish between negotiable issues and "deal-breakers"
• Draft a settlement or mediation agreement as the parties concur on specific terms, rather than at the end of negotiations

Along with learning the importance of agreements' waiver and release language, you get sample agreement forms you can adapt. And, when all else fails, you get ideas for exploring creative alternatives to resolve especially difficult disputes.