Causes of Conflict in Special Education Term Paper

Causes of Conflict in Special Education - Term Paper Example Conflicts occur amongst stakeholders in special education due to a variety of reasons. Design conflicts arise when stakeholders have conflicting ideas about special education requirements of their wards. These arguments characteristically are about issues like eligibility for services; methodology of intervention; perceptions about student needs and educational placement. Parents usually feel that their ward has needs that merit unique education services while the school administration may decide that the child is ineligible for these services. Arguments may occur over the most suitable methodology for intervention. In the recent past, a range of interventions has emerged that offer the possibility of amazing outcomes. However, some of these treatments tend to be costly and need highly specialized employees. This is a possible area of conflict. The second area of disagreement is the delivery of services. Delivery problems are those connected with implementing an intervention program that has been decided upon by the family and the school district. Although the stakeholders may have reached an accord, both on the requirements of a child and on the services that the child should receive, disagreements may arise if either the school district fails to provide the decided services or the parents feel that services are not being suitably provided. Delivery disagreements frequently involve issues of provider competence, coordination of services, transportation, scheduling, procedural requirements, privacy, and/or confidentiality. Relationships are the most important but indefinable sources of arguments between school districts and parents. Relationship conflicts may stem from cultural differences, breakdowns in communication, and loss of trust. Although only a handful of states include this category in their analysis of requests for mediation, mediators and mediation program coordinators consider relationship conflicts to be a central reason that increasing numbers of parents seek mediation. Â