How To

Due Process Hearing

A request for a special education Due Process Hearing can be made by filing a signed written request on the form provided within, with the RI Department of Education, Office of Special Populations.

Request For Impartial Due Process Hearing

Mediation

A request for mediation can be made by contacting the RI Department of Education, Office of Special Populations at 222-4600. After obtaining some basic information from the person/party (parent or school district) the RI Department of Education will appoint a mediator. At that point the mediator will contact the parent and the school department to see if both sides are agreeable to meet to discuss the matter in dispute. The mediator will set a date and time for all parties to meet and attempt to settle the dispute. If an agreement is reached, the mediator will draft a non-binding mediation settlement agreement. If no agreement can be reached the mediation session will end and both parties can pursue other methods of reaching agreement through informal and formal dispute resolution options.

Mediation Brochure

[pdf: 621KB | 3 pages]

Mediation can be requested by contacting the RI Department of Education at 401.222.4600.

Special Education Complaint

Any individual or organization may file a signed written complaint alleging a violation of a Federal or State special education regulation with the RI Department of Education, Office of Special Populations on a form provided within.

Special Education Complaint Report Form

You can view Due Process Reports for Complaints, Hearings and Mediation via the online Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Due Process Report tool.