On December 1, 2005, a new program called the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) came to life.  This program is the result of a contract between Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma State Department of Education for the purpose of managing the special education due process hearing system for the State of Oklahoma.  Linda Jaco is the Program Director.   Jo Anne Pool, Program Manager, manages the day to day operations. SERC is staffed with an administrative assistant, Shannon Esmeyer.  A law student works during the school year to assist with research activities.   The Center is located at 4825 South Peoria, Suite 2, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74105.

SERC recruits, trains and evaluates hearing and appeal officers that conduct the due process hearings.  Hearing and appeal officers are recruited from around the State and must have a Master’s degree or above in a field related to special education or must be an attorney.  There is a preference for attorneys because of their basic knowledge in researching the law and conducting hearings.

Training is provided on an ongoing basis and includes major mandatory training sessions.  One of the major sessions focuses on administrative process and the second focuses on special education and related issues.  Training is also provided in Part C of the IDEA–Sooner Start.  SERC brings a national expert on special education and special education law to present the latest developments in special education.  The Center opens this training to the public at a reasonable cost. 

As part of SERC activities, the staff works closely with the Oklahoma State Department of Education – Special Education Services to update the current policies and procedures of the due process hearing system and create innovative programs.  SERC is developing a program of facilitation to be used during resolution sessions. The SERC Advisory Council, consisting of parents, school districts and the State Department of Education – Special Education Services, meets quarterly to provide input from the perspectives of the different stakeholder groups.  The work that SERC creates is presented as a recommendation to the Oklahoma State Department of Education.