Mount Union Area School District
Dispute Resolution
While both staff and parents approach program development for students in special education programs with their best interests in mind, sometimes differences of opinion may occur. Parents who have questions or concerns about their student should take their concerns first to the special education teacher, general education teacher and/or school counselor who work with their student. If the questions or concerns are not answered at that level, parents have a series of people to whom they can go for help. The following list shows who to contact, and in which order, when you have questions or concerns regarding your student.
Who to contact when you have questions or concerns:
- Start with the special education teacher, general education teacher, and / or school counselor
- If concerns are not met, contact the school principal
- If concerns are not met, contact the Director of Special Education, Mrs. Dianne Thomas @ 814-542-2518 Ext. 162
- If concerns are not met, contact the Superintendent, Dr. Brett Gilliland @ 814-542-2518, Ext. 191
Additional Dispute Support
The Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR), a Pennsylvania Department of Education funded project, is in the process of distributing information regarding its services, available at no cost, for parents and guardians of children with disabilities and educational agencies that serve them.
We are requesting your assistance with sharing the following ODR information with your staff and constituents by adding the phone numbers and website information shown below to school district, intermediate unit, and parent group communications items such as newsletters, activity calendars, and website links.
ConsultLine
ConsultLine is a toll-free parent helpline for special education questions and concerns. Advisors will answer questions and provide information about the special education process and the laws governing such programs for parents of children with disabilities and educational agencies that serve them.
ConsultLine
1-800-879-2301 (Toll-free in Pennsylvania)
717-541-4960 ext. 3332 (Outside Pennsylvania)
Office for Dispute Resolution
The Office for Dispute Resolution provides the resources for parents and educational agencies to resolve disputes concerning the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities, students who are gifted and children with disabilities served by the early intervention process. ODR provides individualized education program (IEP) facilitation, mediation, dispute resolution skills training, due process and appeals panel process, and a speakers’ bureau.
Office for Dispute Resolution
1-800-222-3353
http://odr.patten.net