How Mediation Empowers Families and Schools Putting Kids First Putting Kids First

Diane L. Godwin

Parents and school district staff who build and maintain positive partnerships might be one of the most influential factors that ensures the best educational outcome for students. These relationships are consequential because most parents with children in special education will be working with a school district for a significant part of the child’s educational career. Districts that embrace and put a high priority on family input and support are fundamental to the success of special education students.

“Parents know their children best— their strengths, their struggles and everything in between. Families bring valuable insights and experiences that help us truly understand a student’s needs. That’s why their input is so important when determining if a child has a special learning need and figuring out the best way to support them,” said Ginger Koestler, director of Policy and Programmatic Supports at the Mississippi

Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Special Education.

Educational practitioners advise early communication between parents and school personnel to enhance the support that can be offered to students and families. Working alongside each other builds relationships, opens communication and provides transparency for all involved.

“Mediation shouldn’t be seen as something negative or intimidating. When both families and schools agree to involve a mediator, it helps address the needs of both sides while maintaining a positive working relationship—something that’s often lost in a win/lose approach” said Amanda Bradley, special education mediator and an individual education planning facilitator.

Bradley and Koestler agree that when both parties focus on the shared goal of a student’s success, mediation fosters stronger relationships between parents and educators, improves communication and ultimately leads to better educational outcomes for students.

“The next question is, how can a parent or educator bring up the idea of inviting a mediator? It starts with feeling comfortable enough to say, ‘I don’t want this issue to drag on—I’m upset and I need help. I want us to communicate better, and I think having a neutral person step in could really help us work through this together,’” Bradley said.

Mediation allows both parties to find solutions that meet their needs, even if compromises are made. Through open brainstorming and role-swapping, parents and district staff can gain new perspectives, foster understanding and create problem-solving solutions. This process not only helps address concerns but also improves trust and communication—essential for strong family-school relationships.

Opposite page: Educators and parents have the opportunity to collaborate and network during conferences held by the Office of Special of Education. Above: Pam Dollar, executive director of the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, speaking at a press conference during Disability Awareness Day at the Mississippi State Capitol. Below: Mona Spells-Adou, the director of the Office of Parent Engagement, leading a session focused on family engagement for educators, administrators and family members.

Pam Dollar, executive director of the Mississippi Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities (MSCCD), emphasizes the power of mediation. She explains that the people who know a child best—the par- ents and district staff—should be the ones crafting solutions for their education, “Mediation allows for quicker resolutions that directly address a child’s needs, preventing delays that could put their education at risk. We encourage parents to approach these meetings with an open mind and come prepared with possible solutions to discuss.”

Koestler, Bradley and Dollar urge districts and parents to address and resolve disagreements early by inviting a mediator to help them approach each other with an open mind, actively listen and come prepared with solutions for discussion.

Recognizing the importance of mediation, last fall MDE’s Office of Special Education took proactive steps and offered training to qualified mediators who can facilitate constructive dialogue between districts and parents.

For more information about inviting a mediator to help resolve differences, please contact Mona Spells-Adou, director of MDE Office of Parent Engagement at 601.359.3498 or mspells@ mdek12.org. For more information about MSCCD, please contact Pam Dollar at 601.969.0601.