Special Education Resolution Center

Maybe you've heard the phrase "cooler heads prevail." It's a way of saying that people who remain calm during difficult situations are more likely to make good decisions and find constructive solutions. The saying has been around in one form or another for hundreds of years.

In special education, cooler heads prevailing doesn't mean that families or schools get their way. The goal is for families and schools to work together in a way that helps students with disabilities receive the support and services they need to make progress.

When emotions begin to build, it can be tempting to react quickly or speak before we've fully considered our words. However, when we pause, listen, and take a moment to gather our thoughts, we increase the likelihood of having productive conversations and finding solutions together.

The next time you find yourself in a difficult conversation, remember the value of taking a breath, slowing down, and focusing on the shared goal of supporting the student. You may discover that cooler heads really do prevail.

Our mission at the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) is to help families and schools resolve disputes at the earliest stage possible. One way we do that is through mediation.

When families and schools have disagreements about issues related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a trained mediator helps them discuss those issues, communicate openly, explore options, and work together toward solutions.

Mediation is voluntary, collaborative, and confidential. Either the family or the school may request mediation, but both must agree to participate. Because mediation discussions remain confidential and cannot be used later in a due process hearing or other litigation, participants have the freedom to speak openly. When people communicate honestly and respectfully, those conversations often lead to collaboration, stronger relationships, and lasting solutions.

Rather than viewing conflict as only a problem to solve, mediation offers families and schools an opportunity to work together. It encourages a focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on the past.

To learn more about mediation, visit our website at www.okserc.org. If you have questions about whether mediation might be helpful, please contact our office. If you've participated in mediation, we'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below.

Ever wondered about IEP Facilitation or Mediation and whether others would recommend it? Take a look at some of the reviews left about our services.

IEP Facilitation:
- “The parent said that it was the best IEP meeting she had ever been a part of”
- “The facilitator was great. We were able to communicate freely and with respect. The team certainly felt that the temperature of the participants was better than in previous meetings. Thank you.”

Mediation:
- “The mediator was very thorough and did an amazing job of keeping everyone on track. They really encouraged the parent to speak their truth and get to the core of their frustrations with the school.”
- “The mediator was very calm and attentive. They were great at establishing communication rules. We had met with the family twice before, and it wasn’t ever contentious. We just could not agree to placement.”
- “They were fair and consistent with both parties. They explained everything very well and let us both have time to talk.”

If you'd like to know more about available services, visit SERC's website at https://bit.ly/4vbbuCf.

IEP Facilitation is a collaborative dispute resolution service designed to intervene and prevent issues, not just respond to them.

You don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to request facilitation. If you anticipate a difficult conversation during an IEP meeting, a neutral facilitator can help guide the discussion, improve communication, and reduce the risk of conflict.

This service is voluntary, meaning that either parents or schools can request facilitation, and both parties must agree before it is scheduled. It’s all about creating a space for clear, respectful, and productive conversations.

To learn more, visit SERC's IEP Facilitation webpage at https://bit.ly/4bvMbVq.

Did you know? Dispute resolution services are available at no cost to both families and schools.

Through SERC’s partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education – Special Education Services (OSDE-SES), dispute resolution services are provided free of charge, removing financial barriers and making support accessible when it’s needed most.

We’re here to help you focus on solutions! Learn more at okserc.org. Contact us at 918-270-1849 or [email protected]

Reaching out for dispute resolution or intermediary support through SERC can be a positive step toward finding solutions.

Our team has the experience to listen, guide you through questions and options for your situation, and help troubleshoot next steps. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all it takes.

The collaborative options of IEP Facilitation and Mediation are designed to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and support meaningful conversations so families and districts can keep working together for student success.

Questions about dispute resolution? Contact us today at 918-270-1849 or [email protected]

Happy 4th of July from SERC! 🇺🇸🎆 Wishing you a joyful and safe Independence Day as we celebrate 250 years of America!

We hope your day is filled with connection, relaxation, and moments that matter most; whether you’re spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors, or taking a well-deserved break.

We’d love to see how you’re celebrating! Feel free to share photos from your holiday or your summer so far in the comments.

Summer is a time to reset! It’s a season for parents and educators to take a deep breath, step outside, and focus on self-care, connection, and joy. At SERC, we hope families and schools alike are giving themselves permission to slow down, recharge, and enjoy the quieter pace of summer.
If you need a quick reset today, try this:
- Take three deep breaths, inhaling fully and exhaling slowly
- Write down your biggest concern for today
- Focus on what you can control right now

Every quarter, check out the helpful resources put together by SERC staff for parents and educators in our SERC Scoop Newsletter! Together, we can work to resolve special education disputes at the earliest stage possible.

Sign up for our email list to get the Scoop directly to your inbox each quarter on the SERC Scoop Newsletter webpage!

Read the June 2026 SERC Scoop on our website at https://bit.ly/4vwtkAE!

SERC staff are having a summer full of adventures, memories, and new experiences! Today, we are introducing Allison Conch, SERC's Assistant Director.

Allison's favorite summer treat: Snicker's ice cream bar, grilled jalapeno poppers, and all the sparkling water!

Allison's favorite summer vacation: Tropical locales and anywhere with a rich and interesting history to explore!

Allison's favorite thing about her job: Making connections with all sorts of people, learning from and collaborating with others across the state and in national workgroups with other states, seeing the success and growth when teams develop positive relationships, and working through continuous improvements of processes and systems to better serve all.

Thank you for all you do, Allison!