IEP Facilitation Procedures for Special Education

The IEP Facilitation Process1. Before the meeting begins, the IEP facilitatorwill make sure that an agreement to facilitateis signed and in place.2. If following the meeting, the team reaches anagreed upon plan, the IEP facilitator willassist the parties in reviewing and signingthe plan.3. If an agreement on the plan is not reachedfollowing the meeting, the parties may electto schedule an additional meeting, with orwithout the facilitator.4. Participants are asked to complete anevaluation of the facilitator and the IEPfacilitation process at the end of the meeting.How Long is a facilitated IEP meeting?Generally, the length of the facilitated IEPmeeting is unknown, as the team membersdetermine when the plan is completed and readyto implement. Many IEP meetings run at leastone hour, so it should be assumed that acontentious facilitated IEP meeting will takelonger. In those instances where a day is notsufficient to reach an agreed upon plan, IEPfacilitation can be scheduled for an additionalday(s).Important Information YouShould Know About IEP Facilitation• The IEP process can be an emotional,physically tiring and frustrating process. Theexternal facilitator will serve the bestinterests of the team and the student.Parents and family supporters should makeadequate preparations for the meeting.• Some complex issues might needconsiderable time in order to result in amutually agreeable outcome and a thoroughand detailed IEP.• IEP facilitation will not always result in anagreed upon plan.Who Can I Contact forAdditional Information?• Your area State Support Team (SST)• The Ohio Coalition for the Education ofChildren with Disabilities at (800) 374-2806.• The special education director or pupilservices director of your local school district.• A parent advocacy agency in your local area.• Ohio Department of EducationMediation CoordinatorOhio Department of Education(614) 466-2650 or (877) 644-6338Fax: (614) 728-1097www.education.ohio.govThe Ohio Department of Education does not discriminateon the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion,age or disability in employment or in the provision ofservices.This document is a publication of the Ohio Department ofEducation and does not represent official policy of theState Board of Education unless specifically stated.IEP Facilitation ProceduresforSpecial EducationA Guide for Parents and DistrictsThis pamphlet has been prepared for persons whomay wish to participate in the IEP facilitation processto resolve disputes involving special education plansand related services to children with disabilities. Itexplains the process for requesting and participatingin IEP facilitation.Office for Exceptional ChildrenKathe Shelby, Ph.D., DirectorRevised Sept. 2009

Revised Sept. 2009What is IEP Facilitation?*IEP facilitation is all about the student andhelping the IEP team overcome the pressure andanxiety often associated with a contentiousmeeting. The facilitator makes sure that the focusof the team remains on the best interests of thestudent. The facilitator is a skilled specialeducation mediator who has received specializedtraining in the area of IEP development. IEPfacilitation is voluntarily inviting this externalfacilitator into the IEP team meeting. Thefacilitator’s primary goal is to assist teammembers in the thoughtful, productiveconstruction of a quality individualizededucational program. This is achieved byencouraging and directing communicationspecific to the IEP and assuring that themembers of the IEP team are empowered in theirparticipation and invested in the plan. Thefacilitator makes no educational decisionsregarding the student. Rather the facilitator willaddress issues during the process that producetension within the team so that they are able tofind their own solutions.*This is a general description of the IEP Facilitationprocess. It is not intended to interpret, modify or replaceformal requirements under federal law.The Benefits of IEP Facilitation• Builds and improves relationships among theIEP team members and between parentsand schools.• Insures that the meeting is student-focused.• Models effective communication andlistening.• Clarifies points of agreement anddisagreement.• Provides opportunities for team members toresolve conflicts if they arise.• Encourages parents and professionals toidentify new options to address unresolvedproblems.• Costs less than more formal proceedingssuch as due process hearings.• Is typically less stressful than formalproceedings.• Supports follow through.• Supports all parties in participating fully.• IEP Facilitation is provided at no cost.The FacilitatorA trained facilitator:• Helps members of the IEP team focus ondeveloping a satisfactory IEP. With theagreement of all team members, thefacilitator may help create an overall agendaand assist in generating ground rules for themeeting.• Guides the discussion by keeping the team’senergy centered on student-focusedquestions.• Assists the team to resolve conflicts anddisagreements that may arise during themeeting.• Helps to maintain open communicationamong all members.• Helps team members develop and askclarifying questions.• Helps to keep team members on task andwithin the time allotted for the meeting.• Maintains impartiality and does not takesides, place blame or determine if aparticular decision is right or wrong.• Does not impose a decision on the group.How to Request IEP FacilitationIEP facilitation is available under the followingconditions:• IEP facilitation is available without the needto request a due process hearing or file aformal complaint.• IEP facilitation can be requested by anymember of the IEP team.• IEP facilitation is available during the filingand investigation of a formal complaint orduring the filing of a due process hearingrequest.• IEP facilitation is provided at no cost to bothparties.• Once both parties agree to IEP facilitation,they are provided a list of three IEPfacilitators to choose from.• The selected IEP facilitator will contact bothparties to set up the date, time and locationof the IEP facilitation.Submit requests for IEP Facilitation to:Ohio Department of EducationOffice for Exceptional Children, Mediation25 South Front Street, Mail Stop #202Columbus, Ohio 43215-4183Phone: (877) 644-6338Fax (614) 728-1097