Dispute Resolution

Situations may arise where parents or other family members believe a school has violated federal or state law. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) Office for Exceptional Children (OEC) encourages parents, family members and schools to work together to resolve differences.

EARLY RESOLUTION

Early resolution is an informal process that may alleviate the need to file a formal written complaint or due process complaint.  The Dispute Resolution section has an Education Program Specialist (EPS) available to provide further explanation about federal and state laws relating to special education, describe the dispute resolution options that are available to parents, inform parents of procedural safeguards, identify other agencies and support services, and describe available remedies and how parents can proceed. 

• Early Resolution Information Sheet

Mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process for resolving disputes between two parties. For mediation to occur, both sides must agree to mediate. The mediation process is facilitated by a trained impartial third party, the mediator, who helps the parties communicate with each other about their concerns in an effort to reach a mutually acceptable solution.

• Mediation Information Sheet | Other Languages
• Parent Request for Mediation Form | Other Languages
• District Request for Mediation Form 
• The National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)

Facilitation

Facilitation takes place in a team meeting such as an individualized education program (IEP) team meeting, evaluation planning meeting or an evaluation team meeting.  The facilitator is a neutral, third party who is not a member of the team and does not make any decision for the team.  Having a facilitator assists the team in being productive and keeping the focus on the student.  Facilitators are professional mediators who have been trained by the Office for Exceptional Children in special education processes.

• Facilitation Information Sheet | Other Languages
• Parent Request for Facilitation Form | Other Languages
• District Request for Facilitation Form
• The National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE)

Complaints

DEW has instituted effective complaint investigation procedures, allowing issues to be resolved in a timely manner. DEW reviews written and signed allegations concerning violations of state or federal special education law. Below are links for information and the necessary forms for filing a complaint.

Using AI to write a complaint:

The integration of AI-enabled tools is becoming more widespread in society and in education. In fact, recent changes to state law require all districts to adopt AI use policies and for the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce to create a model policy. This policy emphasizes keeping people at the core of every AI-related decision, using tools to support work rather than replacing the role of the individual, and protecting privacy and security of data.

These principles are also helpful when applied to the development of complaints. While AI tools may be able to help write a special education complaint or due process request, it is recommended that individuals critically analyze AI-supported complaints prior to submission. AI tools may not always provide correct legal answers or ensure a complaint meets all the requirements. The complaint may not have all the information necessary to launch an investigation. Those who choose to use AI-enabled tools to assist in developing a complaint should carefully check all the facts and make sure all required information is included.

There has been an increase in the number of complaints that appear to be AI generated without critical analysis by the individual user. These complaints often don’t make sense, do not talk about IDEA violations, and cause confusion, misunderstandings, and frustration. If a complaint is not clear or incomplete, it may be deemed insufficient, which can delay the process.

Additionally, please be mindful that personal information entered in AI tools may not remain confidential.

• Formal Written Complaint Information Sheet
• Special Education Complaint Form
• Complaint and/or Due Process Withdrawal Form 
• Additional guidance and procedures about formal written complaints
• State Complaint Procedures C-5 - Effective 7/27/2021

Due Process

Parents, school districts or other agencies (e.g., county boards of developmental disabilities, Department of Youth Services) may request an impartial due process hearing to resolve disagreements about the identification, evaluation and placement of a student or the provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE). The hearing is conducted by an impartial hearing officer who is appointed by DEW. Below are links for information and the necessary forms to request a due process hearing. The requesting party may use the form provided or may submit his/her own written due process complaint notice and hearing request.

• Due Process Information Sheet
• Expedited Due Process Information Sheet
• Request for a Due Process Hearing Form 
• Complaint and/or Due Process Withdrawal Form
• Due Process Resolution Session Tracking Form
• OSEP Dear Colleague Letter April 2015
• Endrew F. Supreme Court Opinion
• Endrew F. U.S. DOE - Update-12-07-2017

Dispute Resolution Complaint Findings and Due Process Decisions Database

• Dispute Resolution Complaint Findings And Due Process Decisions Database

Legal Services for Low Income Ohioans

• Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation
• Disability Rights Ohio
• Ohio Legal Rights Services

Last Modified: 4/3/2026 9:26:13 AM

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