Parents' satisfaction with resolution of special education disputes : litigation, mediation, and no formal procedure

Parents who had a child with special needs and who had experienced a conflict with public school officials concerning their child's education were interviewed. Perceptions of parents who participated in mediation, parents who participated in litigation, and parents who did not participate in either of these methods were compared. Differences were found between the groups in the kinds of conflicts they had with school officials, the ways they interacted with school officials, their perceived degree of conflict with school officials, and the outcomes of conflicts with school officials. Recommendations for both parents and school officials are presented.