Mediation for School and Education Law Issues in New Jersey

Mediation is especially appropriate when dealing with disputes between students, parents, teachers, coaches, administrators, and school districts.

Mediation for School and Education Law Matters

For families with children with special needs and behavioral issues or with children being bullied in the classroom or online, mediation provides an opportunity to work with school districts through issues while focusing on the best interests of the child. Mediation is especially appropriate when dealing with disputes between students, parents, teachers, coaches, administrators, and school districts.

Mediation is required for special education matters. For discipline matters, the opportunity for mediation is available as well. Any petitioner to the commissioner of education, school district, or parents will also be afforded the opportunity to submit their dispute to mediation, either in the context of a resolution conference at the local level or by utilizing the services of the New Jersey Department of Education. The disputing parties can agree to submit their dispute to a private mediator, with or without the assistance of a lawyer or advocates.

Mediation helps avoid protracted litigation, which can have devastating effects for the child, the child’s family, and the school district involved.

The speed by which an educational dispute can be resolved in the context of mediation, as opposed to a disputed hearing before an administrative law judge or trial before a superior court judge, cannot be understated. While justice is never as swift as it should be, the dispute to be resolved or problems to be collaboratively handled are much better suited to a mediation than litigation.

Similar to the way a child study team works for special education students, mediation requires that everyone involved sit together in the same room or virtually together for the purpose of solving problems and resolving disputes. It's important to note that these same individuals will be working together into the future until the student graduates from the local school district; the sooner all can be on the same page and working together, the better to ensure that the student receives a meaningful education in a safe environment so that they can excel to the best of their abilities. Protracted litigation or any delay in providing a child with a free and appropriate education can have devastating effects for the child, the child’s family, and the school district involved. Resolution rather than dispute is accordingly particularly appropriate in the school setting.

Conclusion

Mediation is one of the most effective tools in resolving  education and school-related matters and disputes in New Jersey. If you believe that Mediation or Alternative Dispute Resolution would benefit you, contact New Jersey Mediation Lawyer Howard Mendelson.