Family & Community Special Communities
Special Education Appeals

Facilitated IEP Team Meeting

IEP team meeting facilitation is a voluntary process, at no cost to the parties, that can be used when the parties to an IEP meeting agree that the presence of a neutral third party would assist them in communicating and in the successful drafting an IEP for a student.

The Facilitated IEP process has experienced a great deal of growth on the national level and new programs are being implemented in many states. Though most IEP team meetings flow smoothly, and do not need the assistance of a facilitator, sometimes conflicts arise, impasse occurs, issues are new and complex, or other problems develop and outside assistance is useful to remain focused on the development of a sound IEP for the student.

The Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) is entertaining requests for a facilitator to attend an IEP team meeting. School districts and parents who agree to request a facilitator may call the BSEA and request facilitation. The BSEA's intent is to help special education planning teams who may be experiencing difficulty stay directed toward a discussion of the student's needs, to make decisions, and to reach agreement. All federal and state laws related to the development of the IEP still apply. The facilitator will not be the neutral person who later might be involved in mediation, if it goes beyond the facilitated team meeting.

Our goal is to assist IEP teams to stay focused on developing a satisfactory IEP; to help members develop lasting relationships through consensus building; and to resolve any disputes or disagreements as they arise in the meeting.

To request an IEP Team Meeting facilitator from the BSEA, call Marc Sevigny, Coordinator of Mediation, at 781-338-6443.