What is the process for mediating disputes in the school setting?
Disputes can arise in school settings due to a variety of issues, from bullying to conflicts between teachers and students. For these disputes, Pennsylvania provides a mediation process to help settle the disagreement. The Pennsylvania Department of Education has specific regulations for mediating disputes in school settings. Under the “Education Empowerment Act”, schools are required to provide an impartial mediator or mediators who can help resolve the dispute. The mediator(s) must be trained in mediation techniques, and the school is responsible for approving and providing access to the mediator. The mediatior(s) and the parties involved with the dispute will communicate with each other and the school to discuss the issue and come to a resolution. The mediator(s) can help all parties reach a mutual agreement and find a solution that is satisfactory to all parties involved. In the event that a resolution is not reached, the mediator will attempt to move the parties to a mutually accepted solution. If this is not successful, the mediator will make a recommendation to the school based on the mediation process. The school does have the option to accept, reject or modify the mediator’s recommendation. Ultimately, it is up to the school to make a final decision in disputes that arise in the school setting. The mediator is simply a tool for helping to resolve the dispute and the school has the ultimate say in the resolution.
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