Minnesota Special Education Mediation Services (MNSEMS)Accountability Programs : Minnesota Department of Education

Minnesota Special Education Mediation Services (MNSEMS)
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Minnesota Special Education Mediation Services (MNSEMS)

Minnesota Special Education Mediation Service (MNSEMS) provides conflict resolution assistance for students, schools, parents and agencies. Parents and school staff can use a mediation session for specific issues or a facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP), Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), or Individual Interagency Intervention Program (IIIP) meeting for developing an education plan.   

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) uses only experienced mediators who are then trained in special education issues and the IEP process. The roster of thirteen Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practitioners serves all areas in Minnesota. In an effort to reduce state costs of ADR practitioners’ travel time and expenses, the practitioners are assigned randomly within their geographic location.

Documents and forms used for mediation sessions and facilitated IEP, IFSP and IIIP meetings are available on this page, including forms translated in Hmong, Russian, Somali and Spanish.

*Links to third party sites are provided as a service to Minnesota Department of Education Website visitors. See our disclaimer regarding these sites in our copyright information linked at the bottom of this page. Links will open in a new browser window.

Alternative Dispute Resolution FY08 Annual Report pdf icon 224Kb (1/9/2009)
     The Division of Compliance & Assistance produces an annual report on the special education Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) options of mediation and facilitated IEP meetings. The FY08 MNSEMS report includes highlights, detailed statistics, conclusions, and recommendations for improvements so these ADR options continue to be effective.
MN Special Education Mediation Service (MNSEMS) Dispute Resolution Brochure pdf icon 39Kb (5/3/2006)
     Frequently asked questions about mediation and facilitated IEP meetings.
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MNSEMS Mediations

Answers to Questions about Mediation PDF Version 69Kb (4/11/2008)
     Frequently asked questions about mediation.
Benefits of using Mediation
     Summary of how mediation can assist in special education conflict resolution.
How to Prepare for Mediation PDF Version 66Kb (4/11/2008)
     Suggestions of steps to take before mediation and brief overview of the mediation process.
Request for Mediation PDF Version 115Kb (4/8/2008) doc icon 49Kb (4/8/2008)
     To request mediation fill out this form and return it to the department of education
Review the Agreement to Mediate Form PDF Version 49Kb (2/18/2009)
     This document is an agreement to mediate. Participants will be asked to sign this form at the meeting.

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Facilitated IEP-IFSP-IIIP Meetings

Answers to Questions about Facilitated Individual Education Plan (IEP/IFSP/IIIP) Meetings PDF Version 57Kb (4/11/2008)
     Frequently asked questions about the facilitation process
Request for Facilitated IEP/IFSP/IIIP Meeting PDF Version 120Kb (11/16/2007) doc icon 51Kb (11/16/2007)
     To request a facilitated IEP/IFSP/IIIP meeting, fill out this form and return it to the department of education
Review the Agreement to Participate in the Facilitated IEP, IFSP or IIIP Meeting PDF Version 10Kb (10/6/2005)
     This document is an agreement to participate in a facilitated IEP, IFSP or IIIP meeting. Participants will be asked to sign this form at the meeting.

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MNSEMS Translated Documents

Overview of Mediation and Facilitated IEP Meetings: Russian PDF Version 121Kb (9/8/2006)
    
Overview of Mediation and Facilitated IEP Meetings: Somali PDF Version 13Kb (9/1/2006)
    
Overview of Mediation and Facilitated IEP Meetings: Spanish PDF Version 113Kb (9/11/2006)
    
Overview of Mediation and Facilitated Services: Hmong PDF Version 95Kb (9/13/2006)
    
Request for Facilitated IEP Meeting: Hmong PDF Version 27Kb (2/28/2006)
    
Request for Facilitated IEP Meeting: Russian PDF Version 206Kb (9/1/2006)
    
Request for Facilitated IEP Meeting: Somali PDF Version 23Kb (11/23/2005)
    
Request for Facilitated IEP Meeting: Spanish PDF Version 28Kb (9/11/2006)
    
Request for Mediation: Hmong PDF Version 29Kb (2/28/2006)
    
Request for Mediation: Russian PDF Version 206Kb (9/12/2006)
    
Request for Mediation: Somali PDF Version 27Kb (11/23/2005)
    
Request for Mediation: Spanish PDF Version 29Kb (9/13/2006)