Office of General Counsel, Special Education Mediation Program

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The TEA Office of General Counsel oversees the Special Education Mediation program. Parents and school districts can find information about the special education mediation program on this page.

Special Education Mediators

TEA provides a list of current special education mediators and their qualifications.

Special Education Dispute Resolution Frequently Asked Questions

TEA designed the Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook to assist parents, school officials, and other interested parties in understanding TEA's special education dispute resolution system. The handbook contains information about the mediation program including frequently asked questions. It is not intended to be legal advice. If you need legal advice about a special education matter you may contact a private attorney. TEA cannot provide legal advice. The Special Education Dispute Resolution Handbook is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

Special Education Dispute Resolution Comparison of Services

TEA created a quick-reference document that provides parents and school districts with an overview of the options available for resolving disputes arising under federal and state special education law.  It is not intended to interpret, modify, or replace any procedural safeguards provided by, or requirements of, federal or state law.  The Special Education Dispute Resolution Comparison of Services Chart is also available in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Arabic.

Special Education Mediation Survey

The special education mediators provide this special education mediation survey to parties following the completion of the mediation process.

Mediation Request Form

A mediation request must be sent in writing to TEA by e-mail, mail, fax or hand delivery. TEA designed a model special education mediation request form. You are not required to use the model form, but TEA encourages its use. The mediation request must be e-mailed, mailed, hand-delivered or faxed to TEA. Although not required, TEA recommends that the requester also provide a copy to the other party.  The special education mediation request form is also available in Spanish.

Other Mediation Resources and Information

The information below may also be helpful to you:

The National Center on Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) provides information about special education mediation and other dispute resolution processes. 

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services' letter to TEA responds to TEA's inquiry about whether a state educational agency may dismiss claims raised in a state special education complaint that were released in a previous resolution session or mediation settlement agreement.

If you have a question about the mediation program contact Kathleen Cameron at Kathleen.Cameron@tea.texas.gov