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Conflict Resolution |
Students achieve the greatest success when parents and school staff work together to support one another. Pinellas County Schools is committed to partnering with parents. The parents of students with disabilities have all the same opportunities to communicate and to work with school staff as do all parents:- Student progress reports and interim reports
- Parent/teacher conferences
- School newsletters
- Open House
- School events
- PTA
- SAC
In addition, parents of students with disabilities have unique opportunities to communicate and to work with school staff:- Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, at least annually
- IEP goal progress reports, on same schedule as general education progress reports
Parents who are seeking information regarding parent training, disability information, or community resources should contact the Florida Diagnostic and Resource Systems (FDLRS) Parent Services office at 793-2723.
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Parent Concerns: |
The following steps are recommended, but parents are not required to follow the steps in sequential order. Parents always have the complaint resolution processes described in the available to them at any time.
Step One:
When parents have a concern regarding their child’s education, it is recommended that they begin with school staff closest to the concern:- Contact the child’s teacher
- If the concern continues, contact the principal. The principal may involve additional staff, such as a guidance counselor, Varying Exceptionalities specialist, VE liaison, or assistant principal.
Step Two:
If the parents’ concern relates to the special education and related services within the IDEA and the parents are unable to resolve the concern at the school, they should contact the IDEA Team Leader assigned their school for assistance. IDEA team leaders are Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Supervisors who are knowledgeable in IDEA and who have received specialized training, such as the facilitated IEP process, dispute resolution, and mediation. The team leader will work with the parents and school staff to resolve concerns. If you do not know the telephone number for your team leader, you may call 588-6032 to request the number.
Step Three:
If you continue to have concerns following your contact with the IDEA team leader and school staff, the Office of ESE Compliance, at 588-6032, is available to further assist you.
Step Four:
In addition to the processes described above, parents have all of the formal complaint resolution processes available under the IDEA Procedural Safeguards:- Local Education Agency (LEA) Complaint: Parents can file a written LEA complaint with the Superintendent that explains how the district failed to meet a requirement of IDEA and the facts on which the statement is based. The Superintendent is required to investigate and provide the parent with a decision within 25 days of receipt of the complaint. The Superintendent is required to notify the state that the complaint has been filed within five days from the time the Superintendent receives the complaint. Parents have a right to appeal the district's decision to the state. This complaint procedure is at no cost to the parents.
- State Complaint: An organization or individual may file a signed written complaint with the State Department of Education. The complaint must explain how the district failed to meet a requirement of IDEA and the facts on which the statement is based. The state is required to investigate the complaint and issue a written decision that addresses each allegation in the complaint. The decision must contain findings of fact and conclusions and explain the reasons for the state's final decision.
This complaint procedure is at no cost to the parents. The State Department of Education may be contacted at 1-850-245-0476.
- Mediation: Mediation is available at no cost. It is voluntary and both parents and the school district have to agree to submit a dispute to mediation. An impartial mediator who is not an employee of the school district is provided by the state. The mediator does not decide who is right or wrong but assists the parties to reach agreement on the resolution of the dispute.
Contact the ESE Compliance Office at 588-6032 to obtain a form to request mediation.
- Due Process Hearing: Either the parent or the school district can request an impartial due process hearing on any matter involving the provision of special education services to a child. The hearing is conducted by an impartial administrative law judge (ALJ) employed by the state's Division of Administrative Hearings. The ALJ issues a final order that is binding upon the parties unless there is an appeal. Either party may appeal by filing an action in state or federal court where the court will review the record of the due process hearing, receive additional evidence, and decide all issues. The decision of the trial court can be appealed to the appropriate appellate court. The parents are not required to have an attorney but may choose to do so. Parents are entitled to have their attorney’s fees and costs paid if they prevail; however, if the school district prevails, the district cannot recover its costs and fees. Contact the ESE Compliance Office at 588-6032 to obtain information about due process.
Please refer to the IDEA Procedural Safeguards for additional information. If you need an additional copy of the safeguards, please contact your child’s teacher.
We appreciate your continued involvement in and support of your child’s education. Please do not hesitate to contact the ESE Office (588-6032) if we can be of assistance.
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