[music]
[Cili] Mediation, by definition, is an opportunity
for everyone to come to the table
and have a chance to talk about whatever it is
that they want to talk about.
What makes mediation special is that
it's a confidential process.
Mediators are neutral parties.
It's a, it's a neutral space.
And it's also voluntary.
[Nikimya] Oftentimes, in CSC meetings,
everyone just for the sake of time cannot be heard.
The mediation process really does
create a space for both parties to be heard.
And I think that's the most important piece
of this mediation process.
[Yvette] When people feel that they're genuinely being heard,
it creates energy, positive energy,
and the discussion turns to what's possible.
[Richard] It's kind of like sitting around the fireplace.
If Johnny's the child, what's the issue?
What's the district's position? What's the parents' position?
And we're just going to talk.
And I think once the district hears
what the parent has to say,
and once the parent can hear what the district has to say,
they both sit back and they think about it.
And all of a sudden, you know, the nerves come down.
Now we start trying to problem solve a little bit:
What's the best for Johnny?
[Laurie] Very often, when you have a neutral party in the room,
people are able to resolve their own differences.
[Cili] It's really available to all families,
no matter what their economic situation might be.
[Nikimya] It allows just for the fleshing out
of different thoughts and ideas
about what's in the child's best interest.
[music]
[Laurie] One of the most powerful things about mediation
is the fact that mediation helps
parents and school districts
improve their relationships very often.
[Richard] If you really take a parent
to a due process hearing,
it really leaves a bad taste in their mouth
for the, for future events and future concerns.
[Yvette] Litigation takes its toll,
fiscally and emotionally
on the time of staff and administrators.
So as a alternative problem-solving strategy,
mediation is, is a great process.
The resolution comes from the parties
and not the mediator.
[Richard] If it goes up to the next level,
then sometimes we don't have that, that much say anymore,
where a hearing officer is making the decision.
I would much prefer to have the district
and the parent come up with a joint decision,
so everybody leaves the table somewhat satisfied and happy.
[music]
[Laurie] Educating a child
is something that goes on for years and years and years.
And sometimes
mediation can be used as a means of resolving disputes,
but also as a means
of clarifying things between parents and school districts.
It's really a tool to be able to use something
to really enhance a child's education.
[music]
[music concludes]