Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution

Any person who has a concern about the education of a student with a disability can raise the issue in one of several ways. For example, it is always appropriate to discuss the matter with the student's teacher or principal at the local school, or it is also helpful to contact the Director of Exceptional Children Program in the central office of the school system, charter school, or state operated program.

The Office of Exceptional Children consultants for dispute resolution and consultants for instructional support and related services are also able to offer consultation to assist parents, advocates, or school system, charter school, or state operated programs personnel who request help with problem-solving.

Consultants at the Department of Public Instruction are neutral and refrain from taking sides when there is a disagreement, but consistently advocate for appropriate services for children with disabilities. They are committed to the protection of rights for children with disabilities and their parents.

An informal means of problem solving is provided through the Office of Exceptional Children Facilitated IEP Program for school systems, charter schools, state operated programs, and parents.

Formal means for dispute resolution are also available through the Department of Public Instruction, Office of Exceptional Children. These options are requirements of federal and state laws governing special education - Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA), and Policies Governing Services for Children with Disabilities.

When there is an unresolved disagreement over identification, evaluation or educational placement of a child with a disability or the provision of free appropriate public education, the options for dispute resolution are mediation, formal written complaint, and due process hearing. A formal complaint filed on the same issue(s) as contained in a petition for a due process hearing will not be investigated. These options are also available to the adult student who has reached the age of majority (18), unless legally deemed incompetent or unable to make educational decisions.

Tab/Accordion Items

The consultants for dispute resolution work with parents, traditional local educational agencies, charter schools, state operated programs and other individuals to resolve disputes.  They provide information about facilitated IEP meetings, mediation, formal written complaints and due process hearings.  They also investigate formal written complaints.

Dispute Resolution Brochure

Area Consultant Phone 

Facilitation

Mediation

Due Process

State Complaints - Corrective Action

Teresa King984.236.2573
Section ChiefLeigh Mobley984.236.2571
State Complaint InvestigatorDeborah Throm984.236.2572
State Complaint InvestigatorPolly Lilly984.236.2567
State Complaint InvestigatorLaKisha Walden984.236.2578
State Complaint InvestigatorDavid Bouldin984.236.2236

Facilitation

If requesting a facilitated IEP Team meeting, please email requests to Facilitation@dpi.nc.gov. Staff will monitor this email address during the Governor's State of Emergency.

General Information

For Parents

If requesting FIEP, please submit the following signed documents: (1) a FIEP request form; (2) a FERPA form for Parent; and (3) FIEP Agreement Form (Parent) for the approval process. If only agreeing to FIEP, sign and return (1) FERPA form and (2) FIEP Agreement Form.

For PSUs

If requesting FIEP, please submit the following signed documents: (1) a FIEP request form; (2) a FERPA form for LEA; and (3) FIEP Agreement Form (LEA) for the approval process. If only agreeing to FIEP, sign and return the (1) FERPA form and (2) FIEP Agreement Form.

Mediation Requests

Requests for mediation should be emailed to mediation@dpi.nc.gov.

The formal special education state complaint process addresses alleged violations of federal and state laws specific to students with disabilities.

For allegations that do not pertain to federal or state laws specific to students with disabilities, you may seek assistance from the following agencies:

  • Areas of school-level authority, such as personnel matter, grading policies, retention, general education policies:

    • School Administration

    • School Board Policies for student/parent grievances

  • Allegations related to Section 504, bullying, retaliation, or discrimination:

Formal State Complaint Procedures