When to Mediate
During the development of the mediation option several constituencies asked "How do you know when to mediate?" A parent who had been through many levels of due process and litigation suggested a checklist which resulted in this brochure. Five of the six focus groups stated it was better to mediate early before situations got polarized and contentious; before relationships were perhaps irreparably harmed; before too much negativity, anger, frustration, or despair resulted.
How much is "too much"? That's for you and your colleagues interested in a particular student to decide. Families and educators are equal partners in this process. So, for one it may be "too much" at salary negotiation time and "too much" for another at retesting time. It's O.K. to admit another approach is needed. It's even recommended that families and schools work together - creatively and collaboratively.
Symptoms
So, how do you know when to try Mediation?
Or, how do you know when would be a good time to suggest mediation when talking with the school administrator, teacher, psychologist, bus driver, paraprofessional, OT, PT, nurse, etc.?
The following descriptions came from the mediation focus groups. When compiled they look like a possible list of "symptoms" for you to decide when "enough is enough", "this isn't working", it's "too much" from your perspective.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS: If you have felt or thought four (4) or more of the symptoms on the checklist in any combination for two (2) or more months while attempting to work out an issue, you may want to fill the prescription: call a mediation center for a second opinion. (Note: General Directions were developed by absolute whim of the brochure creator.)
Checklist
 traumatized concerned poor divided hard to determine frustrated defensive powerless left holding the bag lack of understanding two sided one-sided |
mediocre dissatisfied slow, delay distrust irritated poor communication not good deadlocked confused unfocused disgusted put out |
anxious impatient depressed inconvenienced don't understand fruitless confused long, drawn out conflict mad, angry |
If you think you would like four (4) or more of the following for two (2) or more months: Call a mediation center:
| collaboration hopeful good needs to be resolved confident pleased relieved up front communication |
great empowered part of the agenda wish it could be settled it will be addressed operate smoothly want to talk be in compliance |