Office For Dispute Resolution

Office For Dispute Resolution (ODR) provides the necessary resources to help parents and educational agencies efficiently resolve disputes related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, and provision of a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities, students who are gifted, and children with disabilities served by the early intervention system. ODR, funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education, is responsible for the operation and management of the Pennsylvania’s Special Education and Gifted Education Dispute Resolution System. Our services include a toll-free ConsultLine for special education questions and concerns, IEP facilitation for successful drafting of a student’s IEP, mediation to establish a positive relationship between parents and school personnel, and due process hearings for formal, quasi-judicial forums. In addition, ODR provides training on strategies to prevent conflict, as well as mediation skills to resolve existing conflicts. We also offer speakers to interested groups on the services provided by our office and general information on dispute resolution mechanisms.