4825 South Peoria, Suite 2
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74105
(918) 712-9632 or (888) 267-0028 toll free
Program Director: Linda Jaco linda.jaco@okstate.edu
Program Manager: Jo Anne Pool Blades jo.pool@okstate.edu
Administrative Assistant: Shannon Esmeyer shannon.esmeyer@okstate.edu
On December 1, 2005, a new program called the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) came to life. The 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. The duties of SERC have been expanded to include innovative programs to assist parents and school districts to settle disputes at the earliest stage possible. At no cost to either party, SERC provides highly trained mediators to assist with disputes which may develop at any time during the relationship of the parties over special education issues. Additionally, SERC also provides highly trained facilitators during required resolution sessions of due process.
National Recognition of Program Activities
Linda Jaco, Associate Director of Sponsored Programs, announced in February 2009 that the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC), a sponsored program of the Seretean Wellness Center at Oklahoma State University has received national recognition for its work in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The Consortium of Appropriate Dispute Resolution (CADRE) and the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) worked together to determine the top four states with strong and progressive alternative dispute resolution programs. These four states will work collaboratively to develop a national model for special education programs in ADR. CADRE and OSEP anticipate that the national model will be unveiled in 2010. Jo Anne Pool Blades, Program Manager of SERC, has been selected to represent Oklahoma's program and will serve on a national panel of experts to assist with ADR development throughout the United States. SERC activities will be funded by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Mediation
Mediation is a voluntary process in which parties meet with a neutral third party for the opportunity to resolve a special education dispute. There is no cost to either party. Mediation is available at any time parties are unable or are struggling to resolve an educational dispute. Parties interested in mediation may download a Parent or School district request for mediation. The parent must also sign consent for release of information to accompany the request. SERC will notify the other party of the request. After both parties have voluntarily agreed to mediation of the issues, then a highly trained mediator will be assigned. For more information on mediation, check out the mediation manual on our website.
Mediators are highly trained in resolving disputes. SERC provides ongoing training each year to assist mediators in sharpening their skills for overcoming roadblocks to settlement. Mediators are invited to attend national conferences related to their duties in conducting mediation and facilitation.
Due Process
When disputes regarding special education cannot be resolved, a party may request a due process hearing. Special rules are in place for conducting the hearing process. Hearing officers are assigned at the time of filing for a hearing. The hearing officer, in the beginning, checks to make sure that the parties are meeting their responsibilities during the first thirty days. During the first thirty days, the parties are in a settlement period. Services are offered by SERC to the parent and school to help the parties resolve their dispute. If the entire dispute cannot be resolved, then the unresolved issues move forward to a hearing. For more information on the requirements of due process, checkout the booklet Due Process in Special Education, Guidelines for Parents and School Administrators on our website.
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 the hearings.
Training is provided on an ongoing basis and includes major mandatory training sessions. One of the major session 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 on the latest developments in special education. All trainings are open to the public at reasonable cost. Anyone wishing to attend upcoming trainings should contact SERC. Hearing Officials are invited to attend national conferences related to their duties in conducting special education hearings.
Funding for this project is provided by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Confidentiality statement: Student specific information is confidential and shall be protected and not disclosed to any third party.
