Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Skills for Parents and Educators
Successfully resolving conflicts and communicating well throughout a child’s educational experience is more likely when everyone has developed the skills to do so. The Office for Dispute Resolution has provided conflict resolution training since 2002. More recently, in 2008, ODR joined a national effort led by CADRE and the IDEA Partnership to build capacity for early dispute resolution by implementing “Creating Agreement in Special Education: Conflict Resolution Training for Parents and Educators”. ODR has been the lead state in the nation for its investment in delivering Creating Agreement training to school and family communities across the commonwealth, and has trained in excess of 2,000 participants.
Key Concepts of the ODR Creating Agreement Model include:
Value of Conflict; Conflict Cycle; Perceptions; Conflict Resolution Styles; Positions & Interests; Listening & Communication; Power Imbalance; Cultural Reciprocity; and a Six Step Conflict Engagement Model.
Creating Agreements Brochure (English)
Creating Agreements Brochure (Spanish)
To view the IDEA Partnership’s collection on Creating Agreement materials, click here: http://www.ideapartnership.org/component/content/article/1490
New Directions for Creating Agreement
ODR is in the process of transitioning from only direct delivery of Creating Agreement training to more expansive yet cost effective outreach efforts. For example, ODR is exploring the viability of creating on line training modules in order to reach the broadest audience possible. On-site training remains available for large audiences, upon request and based upon availability of trainers.
For information on Creating Agreement or to discuss training, please contact Suzanne McDougall at the Office for Dispute Resolution at 1-800-360-7282, Ext. 3315.
