Dispute Resolution Tools
MPACT has several tools to help guide you through resolving conflicts with your school. Below you will find helpful sample forms, sample letters, and fact sheets that will provide you with information on your parental rights, effective communication tips, dispute resolution options and timelines.
Effective Communication
Documenting an IEP Problem Sample Letter
This is an example of how to write a letter to document a problem with your child’s IEP.
Assertiveness Communication Fact Sheet
This fact sheet will help parents understand how to communicate assertively with school professionals.
Parent Participation Fact Sheet
IDEA affords parent the right to be apart of the IEP team and to take an active role in their child's education. This fact sheet takes an in-depth look at the role of parent in regards to special education. [pdf-embedder...
Learning to Negotiate Fact Sheet
Use the negotiating techniques described in this fact sheet and you may find resolving a disagreement with your child’s school is easier and more successful. [pdf-embedder...
Useful Terms & Definitions
A list of useful terms and definitions that are commonly used in special education.
Consensus Fact Sheet
This fact sheet explains what a consensus is and how to know when it has been reached.
School Contact Log
This log can be used to help you keep a record of your contact with your child's school.
Expressing Appreciation Letter
It's important that parents acknowledge things that are going well at school. Use this sample letter as a guide for expressing appreciation.
Sample Letter for Documenting a Problem
This sample letter is an example of how to document a problem at school.
Your Rights
Parent’s Guide to Special Education in Missouri
Parent's Guide to Special Education in Missouri provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Procedural Safeguards
Procedural Safeguards are designed to protect the rights of parents and their child with a disability and, at the same time, give families and school systems several mechanisms by which to resolve their disputes. Download a copy and review it before your child's next...
Prior Written Notice Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides information on Prior Written Notice and Notice of Action.
Free Appropriate Public Education Fact Sheet
This fact sheet provides you with in-depth information on Free Appropriate Public Education.
Facilitated IEP
Facilitated IEP Parent Guide
This guide, created by CADRE, provides parents helpful information on facilitated IEP.
Mediation
Parent Guide on Mediation
This guide, created by CADRE, will help parents to better understand the mediation process.
Mediator List
The Department maintains a list of qualified mediators. When both parties in a dispute agree to mediate, they need to jointly agree on and contact a mediator who must agree to take the case. [pdf-embedder...
Mediation Request Model Form
This model form from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is used for requesting mediation to resolve a disagreement with your child's school. [pdf-embedder...
Child Complaint
Child Complaint Timelines
This fact sheet explains the timelines when filing a child complaint.
Child Complaint Model Form
This is the model form that is used when filing a child complaint with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Written State Complaint
Parent Guide on Written State Complaint
This parent guide is provided by CADRE to help parents understand written state complaints.
Resolution Meeting
Resolution Meetings
This guide, created by CADRE, was developed to provide parents information on resolution meetings.
Due Process Complaint/ Hearing
Parent Guide on Due Process Complaints/ Hearing Request
This guide created by Cadre will help parents gain further understanding about due process requests and hearings.
Due Process Hearing Officer List
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Special Education Compliance department keeps a list of qualified hearing officers as well as information regarding their qualifications. If you are considering filing a due process complaint, it would...
Due Process Timelines
Each stage of Due Process has a defined timeline. However, the timelines defined for the administration of Due Process may run concurrently and/or may be dependent on the completion of the preceding stage. This fact sheet will help you to gain a better understanding...
Due Process Complaint Model Form
This form, from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, is used when filing a due process complaint.
Helpful Links
IDEA requires school systems (called public agencies) to have procedures in place that make due process available to parents and public agencies to resolve a dispute involving any matter arising under Part B. The Parent Center Hub offers parents valuable information on a variety of special education subjects.
The Compliance Section within the Office of Special Education is responsible for ensuring local educational agencies (LEAs) implement all laws and regulations related to Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) is the nation’s technical assistance center on special education dispute resolution. They offer several information brochures and fact sheets for parents and professionals.
