The Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System

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The Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System
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Mediation

• In Wisconsin, mediation is offered to both
  parents and school districts through the
  Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System
  (WSEMS)
• Either the parent or school district, or both,
  may initiate a request for mediation by
  contacting WSEMS
• Both parties must agree to mediation

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About WSEMS

• Three partners direct the system
• Jan Serak, Co-Director of WI FACETS
• Nisan Bar-Lev, Special Education Director for
  CESA 7
• Eva Soeka, Director of the Marquette University
  Center for Dispute Resolution
• Funded by the Department

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Mediators

• WSEMS maintains a list of mediators, and appoints
  a mediator.
• Mediators are from a wide range of professional
  backgrounds.
• Each mediator has completed a 5-day training on
  special education mediation, and is required to
  complete 1-day each year to remain active

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SPP Indicator 19
Percent of mediations held that resulted in
mediation agreements
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OSEP Response in Q A Document

• States should look for an increase in target
  rates but probably not 100 (look at previous APR
  attachments to set targets). The goal here is to
  encourage resolution of issues as early as
  possible so schools and families can focus on
  teaching and learning.

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WSEMS Data

• Year 04-05 58 cases, 53 reached agreement 91
  settlement rate
• Year 03-04 41 cases, 38 reached agreement, 93
  settlement rate
• Year 02-03 66 cases, 55 reached agreement, 83
  settlement rate
• Year 01-02 51 cases, 45 reached agreement, 88
  settlement rate
• Year 00-01 60 cases, 45 reached agreement, 75
  settlement rate

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5-year Trend Data
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Previous APR Targets

• Reporting Period 04-05settlement rate of over
  75
• Reporting Period 03-04settlement range of
  75-88
• Reporting Period 02-03settlement range of
  65-80