School Mediation Services

What is School Mediation?

School mediation is a collaborative problem-solving process that helps members of the educational community—students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff—work through disagreements and find solutions that serve everyone's interests, especially the students.

As a neutral mediator, I don't take sides or make decisions for anyone. Instead, I facilitate productive conversations, help clarify misunderstandings, and guide parties toward agreements that address the underlying concerns while preserving important relationships within the school community.

Types of School Disputes We Mediate

School mediation can address a wide range of conflicts that arise in educational settings:

Benefits of School Mediation

The School Mediation Process

Here's what you can typically expect when engaging in school mediation:

Special Education Mediation

Special education disputes are among the most common and important conflicts in schools. These situations involve not just disagreements, but the fundamental educational rights and needs of children with disabilities.

Common Special Education Issues

• Disagreements about evaluation results or the need for evaluations
• IEP content—goals, services, accommodations, or modifications
• Placement decisions—classroom setting, inclusion, or specialized programs
• Related services—speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, etc.
• Implementation concerns—is the IEP being followed as written?
• Communication breakdowns between parents and the IEP team
• Transition planning for students moving to the next stage
• Discipline of students with disabilities

Mediation in special education cases is often voluntary, but it's also sometimes required before parties can proceed to due process. Either way, it provides a constructive path to resolve disagreements while keeping the focus where it belongs—on the student's educational needs and success.

Student Peer Mediation

When students have conflicts with other students, mediation can be an incredibly effective tool—not just for resolving the immediate problem, but for teaching valuable life skills.

What Makes Student Mediation Different

Student mediation is developmentally appropriate and educational. It helps young people learn to:

• Express their feelings and concerns constructively
• Listen to different perspectives with empathy
• Take responsibility for their actions
• Generate creative solutions to interpersonal problems
• Make and keep agreements with their peers

Student mediation works well for conflicts like friendship disputes, rumors and gossip, misunderstandings, minor bullying situations (when appropriate), property disputes, or ongoing tensions that affect the classroom environment.

Parent-School Mediation

Sometimes parents and schools see things differently—and that's natural. Parents are advocating for their individual child, while schools are managing the needs of many students within limited resources. Both perspectives are valid, and mediation helps bridge these different viewpoints.

Building Partnership Through Mediation

The most effective education happens when parents and schools work as partners. When conflicts arise, mediation can help:

• Clear up misunderstandings and miscommunications
• Rebuild trust that may have been damaged
• Find middle ground between different perspectives
• Create communication protocols that work for everyone
• Focus on shared goals—the student's success and wellbeing

I've seen situations where parents and schools started mediation barely speaking to each other, and ended with collaborative relationships that served the student well for years to come.

For School Districts and Administrators

School mediation services can be structured to meet your district's needs:

Additional Services for Schools

• Conflict resolution training for teachers and staff
• Student peer mediator training to build capacity within the school
• Consultation on developing mediation programs or policies
• Professional development on de-escalation and communication
• Facilitation for difficult meetings or planning sessions

For Parents and Families

If you're in conflict with your child's school, you might be feeling frustrated, unheard, or worried about your child's education. That's completely understandable. Mediation can help even when things feel stuck.

What to Expect as a Parent

In mediation, you'll have the opportunity to be heard fully—not just to state your position, but to explain what you're concerned about and why. You'll hear directly from school staff about their perspective, constraints, and ideas. Together, you'll work toward solutions that address your child's needs within what's possible for the school.

You can bring an advocate, attorney, or support person with you if that helps you feel more comfortable. The goal isn't to determine who's "right" or "wrong"—it's to find a path forward that serves your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is school mediation required?

It depends. For special education disputes under IDEA, mediation is voluntary—neither schools nor parents can be forced to participate. However, some districts or situations may require attempting mediation before proceeding to formal hearings. In any case, participation should be voluntary and in good faith.

What if the school has more power than the parent?

I'm trained to recognize and address power imbalances. Part of my role is ensuring that all voices are heard equally and that no one is pressured into agreements they're uncomfortable with. Parents can bring advocates or attorneys to level the playing field if needed.

Can mediation agreements be enforced?

Yes. Mediation agreements are typically written down and signed by all parties. While mediation itself is voluntary, once an agreement is reached, it becomes binding. For special education mediations under IDEA, agreements are legally enforceable.

What happens if we don't reach an agreement?

Not every mediation results in full agreement, and that's okay. Sometimes parties agree on some issues but not others. Sometimes they need more information or time. If mediation doesn't resolve everything, parties still have other options available—nothing is lost by trying mediation first.

Will what we say in mediation be kept confidential?

Yes. Mediation discussions are confidential and generally cannot be used later in hearings or court proceedings. This confidentiality creates a safe space for honest conversation and creative problem-solving. There are rare exceptions (such as threats of harm), which I'll explain at the beginning of mediation.

How long does school mediation take?

It varies considerably. Some student peer mediations might take just one session. Parent-school disputes might resolve in a single meeting or require several sessions. Complex special education cases might need multiple meetings over several weeks. We'll work at whatever pace serves the situation best.

Does it cost anything for parents?

Often, school districts cover the cost of mediation, especially for special education disputes. This can vary by district and situation. Contact me to discuss the specific arrangements for your case.

Can students participate in their own mediation?

Sometimes, yes—especially older students. Student participation depends on the student's age, maturity, the nature of the dispute, and whether their presence would be helpful or harmful. For special education mediations, students are often included when appropriate, particularly for transition planning.