Skip To Main Content

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is an informal way to resolve disagreements that may come up during the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. It focuses on open communication and teamwork to find solutions that support the student.

ADR is used by both the Desert Mountain SELPA and Charter SELPA, and is supported by the California Department of Education (CDE) as well as the U.S. Department of Education, which considers ADR a best practice.

ADR helps parents, guardians, and school teams work together to reach agreements that meet everyone’s needs—especially the student’s. It encourages positive relationships and aims to resolve concerns as early as possible.

ADR includes options like:

  • Facilitated IEP meetings
  • Mediation
  • Problem-solving sessions with SELPA support

If a parent/guardian or district team would like to request support through Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR), they must complete the ADR Service Request Form to the Desert Mountain SELPA. Both the parent/guardian and district can also jointly submit the request form.