For health and safety reasons, WSEMS now offers virtual mediations and facilitations as a way for the parties to meet.
An in-person option may be available. WSEMS follows the current CDC, state, and local health and safety guidance for in-person gatherings.

The Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System helps parents and schools work together to resolve disputes about special education.
We do not provide legal advice or advocacy for either parents or districts, and we do not mediate 504 plan disputes.

When is mediation right for you?

Mediation is a process that is effective when there is:

An ongoing relationship between family and school representatives
A need for privacy
A need for creative and flexible solutions
A desire to retain control over the outcome rather than having a third party make the decision

Under special education law, mediation may be used for disputes involving:

Identification
Evaluation
Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Placement
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

Mediation is most effective when used early in a dispute.