Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Parents concerned about their child’s education are encouraged to contact the child’s teacher, school principal, or LEA special education administrator to discuss their concerns. Informal conversation often resolves the problem and helps maintain open and positive communication.
Disagreement is normal and a natural part of life; however, it is how it is approached and dealt with that determines everyone’s level of comfort with decisions made. Because communication is so important in the development of a child’s educational program, the Kern County Consortium SELPA has embraced the concept of Alternative Dispute Resolution and has become one of many SELPAs in California to begin using its principles to attempt to resolve conflict prior to moving to more formal levels.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a no-cost process for resolving conflicts, one that respects the dignity of individuals while creating mutually satisfying solutions. ADR Resolves disagreements and conflicts by focusing on communication, collaboration, negotiation, and mediation to achieve agreements that meet the interests of all the parties involved. ADR provides a variety of options for districts and families seeking to work to resolution at the local level; your first level of contact for starting this process is your district’s Special Education Director. If there are still concerns, the SELPA Intake Coordinator* can be contacted to facilitate finding the option that best fits the need at the time.