Collaboration Works, Inc. IEP Facilitation: Preventing and Effectively Engaging Conflict in Meetings October 5, 2007 Karen Hannan Collaboration Works, Inc.

 Learn: Pre-meeting/conflict prevention strategies Common points of disagreement and conflict escalators Specific strategies for addressing issues and behaviors that occur in IEP meetings. Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 What are my beliefs about an excellent IEP meeting? Write your thoughts individually Share in table groups Identify the most significant elements/themes of your conversation  Large group debrief Collaboration Works, Inc.©

Pre-Meeting Tasks What to Do Before the Group Meets  Meeting purpose  Communication  Meeting participants/roles  Agenda planning  Logistics

 Share information  Discuss issues  Problem-solve  Understand issues so people can modify behavior  Maintain relationships  Make decisions  Identify causes of problems  Conflict resolution  Develop solutions Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Plan evaluations  Share evaluation results – so team understands strengths and needs  Development of initial IEP, including placement determination  Annual review of IEP & revision, as needed  Plan for transition after high school  Three-year reevaluation planning  Special review of individual education program (requested by any team member) Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 If not addressed in the IEP: Discussion about teaching methodology Discussion of lesson plans Coordination of services being provided Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Agenda planning  Notice (with ending time)  Determine if there are concerns Problem-solve prior to meeting if possible Identify need for information, people Accessibility needs  Roles – reminders, supports  Drafts of written information  Additional written instructions as needed Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Expertise – who can help with what?  Assign support roles for meetings  Assist parent with taking an active role Observations from home – behavior, concerns expressed by student, successful reinforcers Raise questions, concerns, options Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Meeting purpose  Topic purposes, sequence  Consider what can be done prior to meeting  Identify processes for agenda topics  Estimate time needs Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Opening Meeting purpose, introductions (including roles), agenda review/revision & time frames, working agreements  Present Levels (academic achievement and functional performance) Classroom observations, test results, parent concerns How the disability affects child’s involvement/progress in gen ed  Goals and Objectives Clearly linked to present levels information, quality  Accommodations/modifications  Service Levels Ability to explain rationale for times frames  Placement Decisions Key Parts of IEP Agenda

 Where in meetings do you see most conflict occurring?  What seems to be at the root of this?  Strategies used by participants Collaboration Works, Inc.©

What I Expect GAP Interpretation/Thinking Feelings Conflict Reactions/Behaviors What Happens

 We feel better OR We feel no better  Others feel okay OR Others don’t feel okay  Situation changes OR Situation doesn’t change Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Defending  Educating  Avoiding  Attacking  Controlling  Suspending  Asking for information  Exploring causes  Validating  Reflecting Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Latin Root: “sentir,” meaning to think, hold an opinion To hold an opinion with another, to be in agreement  Interests-based Objectives behind what people say they want  Hidden agendas  Examples Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Curiosity/exploration How do you think that idea might address this? Please help me understand what’s behind your question You must have good reasons for that idea – can you tell us some of them? What benefits might we expect if we tried your idea? What wouldn’t work with the current proposal? If we tried that solution, what do you think might happen next? Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Having a say in decisions  Feeling respected/welcomed  Being a valued member of the team  Ensuring the well-being of a child  Nurturing team relationships  Developing an effective IEP  Avoiding a shared risk  Developing an ineffective or inappropriate IEP  Time considerations  Creating an unpleasant atmosphere/having conflict  Being judged, criticized, embarrassed  Not finishing the task  Complaint/due process Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Shared need is to tell others something effectively  How to encourage certain kinds of responses and restrict others?  Must think in terms of how to present information so others can hear it  Facilitator’s role is to maximize these opportunities Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Intentions vs. impacts – “Oops” phrases “I know how you feel” “The fact is…” “I don’t understand how you can feel that way” “I think you’re just not listening to anything we try to say”  How might these be rephrased? Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 I have a sense this is important to you, could you say some more about that?  How would you have preferred that I handle it?  I’d like to be helpful; what would be most useful to you right now?  I’m not sure what to do or say here, but I want you to know that I care, and I’m committed to making this work.  I’m wondering if I’ve said something that upset you. Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Show understanding of other’s position - paraphrase  Provide a rationale for “no”  Offer an alternative – point out in what way it might relate to the other’s interests  Invite a new response Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Don’t react (go to the balcony) Avoid defending/educating/fixing/telling Pause Rewind the tape Take time to reflect Name the game Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Change the Game Ask for advice Reinterpret attacks Use inclusive language (“we” vs. “you”, “I”) Build on their ideas Ask for more information Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 What about …?  What if…?  What do I do when…? Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Use preventative strategies – plan ahead!  Think in terms of interests  Avoid premature judgment & closure – work on your own attitudes and triggers  Use effective conversational and conflict resolution techniques Collaboration Works, Inc.©

 Consider current IEP meetings What works, what needs improvement?  Ask: What strategies might help us? Planning Protocols Training  Make a plan -- I will do X by date Collaboration Works, Inc.©