Mediation is a free and voluntary process best used when a trained third-party would be helpful in resolving disputes.

How to access the process

Contact the mediation coordinator of the ISBE Special Education Compliance Division at (217) 782-5589. Mediation is a voluntary process that requires the full participation of parties on both sides of the dispute. If the school district will not agree to a mediation, then no mediation will be provided.

Description of the process

Mediations are conducted by impartial, trained mediators provided by the ISBE. Participants in a mediation are typically limited to three individuals on each side of a conflict. These participants must be those individuals who have the legal responsibility for and who are legally authorized to make decisions concerning the student and the school.

Mediation is requires the full participation of both parties and, if a resolution is reached in mediation, compliance with that resolution is completely voluntary. There is no legal requirement on either party to follow the suggestions or decisions reached in a mediation.

During the mediation, the mediator will establish points of agreement and attempt to offer suggestions that will meet the goals common to both sides so that disagreements might be resolved.