Iowa Department of Education

This voluntary process is a less formal version of mediation with a 90% - 100% range of agreements reached. A trained, impartial mediator who helps the parties come to an agreement conducts it. If an agreement is reached, it is considered to be legally binding.

Legal Requirements and Reports

Department Rules Concerning Preappeal Conferences Iowa Administrative Code 281--41.106
Special Education Preappeal Rules (2006-11-02)

Spreadsheet showing the number of Preappeal Conferences Requested and Held
 Summary Reports from July 1 2005 to June 30 2006 (2007-01-17)

Advisory Group

Special Education Mediators used by the Department of Education
Mediators (2006-11-02)

Guiding Practices

Standards adopted by the Department of Education for the special education Mediators who handle Mediations and Preappeal Conferences
Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators (2006-11-02)

Supporting Documents

This form talks about the different avenues to resolve differences concerning special Education issues
Easy Does It! Working Things out with a Resolution Facilitator (2006-11-08)

This link will take you to the Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents
Procedural Safeguards Manual for Parents (2006-09-28)

This form is used to request a Preappeal Conference.
Model Form to Assist Parents in Requesting a Preappeal Conference (2006-11-02)

This form is signed by all parties at a preappeal conference agreeing to process and stating an agreement reached is Legally Binding.
 Agreement to Mediate (2006-11-02)

This is a sample of what the Legally Binding Mediation Agreement form looks like when it is filled out.
Sample Form on Legally Binding Mediation Agreement Form (2006-11-08)

Contacts in your Area

These are lists and contact sheets of agencies and individuals you may talk to about the conflict resolution processes offered by the Department and the AEA.

AEA Special Education Directors List (2006-11-02)

Parent Letter for Free or Low-cost Legal and Advocacy Services (2006-11-02)

Quick Reference List of Resources for Iowans with Disabilities & Family Members (2006-11-02)

Supporting Links

These are lists of agencies--not related to the Department of Education --that can assist you with a variety of special education issues.

Parent Training and Information Center
http://www.askresource.org

The Legal Center for Special Education
http://www.askresource.org/tlc/index.html

HAWK-I (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa)
http://www.hawk-i.org/

Iowa Compass
http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/iowacompass/

Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/

Contact

Dee Ann Wilson, Consultant
515-281-5766
deeann.wilson@iowa.gov

Thomas Mayes, Consultant
515-242-5614
Thomas.Mayes@iowa.gov