IDEA Dispute Resolution
Learn about the options available to parents and schools for resolving special education disagreements, including mediation, state complaints, and due process hearings.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), families and schools can resolve special education disagreements through mediation, state complaints, and due process complaints and hearings. West Virginia also offers Facilitated Individualized Education Program (FIEP) meetings, a voluntary option to help prevent or resolve disagreements early. Each process is designed to resolve concerns fairly and protect the rights of students with exceptionalities and their families.
Resolving Special Education Disagreements
Facilitated Individualized Education Program (FIEP)
FIEP encourages parents and local educational agencies (LEAs) to work together to resolve disputes before calling upon other formal dispute resolution processes.
Mediation
Learn how voluntary, confidential mediation can help parents and schools resolve disagreements about a student's special education services.
State Complaints
Learn how to file a special education state complaint when you believe an LEA isn't following federal or state requirements.
Due Process Complaints
Learn how parents, adult students, and school districts can file a due process complaint to resolve disputes over a student's identification, evaluation, placement, or access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).
Procedural Safeguards
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) protects a family's right to take part in their child's education. Under IDEA, schools must work with parents of school-age children with exceptionalities to support them and their families. The West Virginia Department of Education makes parent involvement in the special education process a priority. Learn more about these procedural safeguards in our brochure.
Manual de garantias procesales [PDF] (Procedural Safeguards – Spanish version – 2024)