Here we provide some resources for parents and caregivers to better understand and use available methods for resolving conflicts or disputes between families and schools.
Published in March 2026, these one-pagers summarize key aspects of state regulations in 5 areas:
• Determination of Eligibility
• Procedural Safeguards
• Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
• School Discipline and Students with Disabilities
• Manifestation Determination Review
These accompany The Virginia Family’s Guide to Special Education.
Determination of Eligibility one pager
Independent Educational Evaluation one-pager
Procedural Safeguards one pager
School Discipline one-pager
Manifestation Determination one pager
Presented live on March 16, 2026, this webinar was presented by attorney Joan Proper. The session provided an overview of the discipline process in area school districts with a focus on the types of suspensions and more serious discipline that be imposed, appeal rights through school systems, what to do if suspensions are a frequent occurrence, how to prepare if there is a pending school system hearing, and the interplay between discipline and a student’s IEP or 504 Plan.
Presentation slides
Webinar recording
Presented live on October 12, 2022, this webinar presented by FFF’s Renee Myers, NCSP, offered an overview of informal and formal special education dispute resolution techniques.
Recording of webinar
Slides from Webinar presentation
This Toolkit from the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC, the Virginia statewide parent training and information center) reviews policy and procedures for filing a State complaint regarding an alleged violation of special education rules.
State Complaint Toolkit
Released on July 19, 2022, the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) published several policy documents and guides to help public elementary and secondary schools fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities and avoid the discriminatory use of student discipline.
The resources are the most comprehensive guidance on the civil rights of students with disabilities concerning student discipline and build on the Department’s continued efforts to support students and schools through pandemic recovery.
Questions and Answers: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA's Discipline Provisions from OSERS
Stakeholders' Guide: Positive, Proactive Approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilities from OSERS
Dear Colleague Letter: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA's Discipline Provisions
Dear Colleague Letter: Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Fact Sheet: Supporting Students with Disabilities and Avoiding the Discriminatory Use of Student Discipline Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
This fillable Word document can be used to create and customize a written agreement between student, parent/caregiver, and school staff. Customize areas and actions and clarify recognitions and rewards.
This guide is designed to assist parents in understanding Virginia’s dispute resolution systems of mediation, complaints, and due process hearings. It offers guidance in selecting an appropriate course of action and describes how to request and prepare for mediation, how to file and proceed with a complaint, and how to file and prepare for a due process hearing.
The National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) offers publications, webinars and other resources on resolving special education disputes.
CADRE’s Dispute Resolution Parent Guides are now available! One each on Mediation, Written State Complaints, Resolution Meetings, and Due Process Complaints/Hearing Requests.
Direction Service
Dispute Resolution Parent Guides
The US Department of Education revised Questions and Answers about dispute resolution procedures available under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The document is long, but covers specifics about mediation, State complaints, due process complaints and hearings, resolution meetings, and expedited due process hearings.