Quarterly DRSE Workgroups
Hosted by TAESE’s Dispute Resolution in Special Education (DRSE), these quarterly virtual workgroups bring together professionals committed to strengthening special education dispute resolution systems across the country.
Every four months, we host specialized sessions for Complaint Investigators, Due Process Hearing Officers, IEP Facilitators, and Mediators. These sessions are interactive, confidential, and not recorded - ensuring a safe space for open dialogue and professional growth.
Collaborate with peers across states
Stay informed on legal and procedural updates
Enhance your skills through expert-led sessions
Fulfill SEA training requirements under IDEA
Participating States
The DRSE Workgroups currently include 17 states and growing. Our partnering states are:
- Alabama (AL)
- Arizona (AZ)
- Colorado (CO)
- Georgia (GA)
- Kansas (KS)
- Kentucky (KY)
- Montana (MT)
- Nebraska (NE)
- New Mexico (NM)
- North Dakota (ND)
- Oklahoma (OK)
- Oregon (OR)
- Pennsylvania (PA)
- South Dakota (SD)
- Utah (UT)
- Wyoming (WY)
We are proud to support these states in their efforts to shape a stronger future for dispute resolution in special education. As our community grows, so does the impact of this invaluable, collaborative resource. If your state is interested in joining, we'd love to hear from you.
What We Do & Why It Matters
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), each state’s Special Education Agency (SEA) is responsible for the general supervision of special education programs. This includes ensuring that dispute resolution systems are effective, compliant, and continuously improving.
The DRSE Workgroups help SEAs meet these general supervision responsibilities by:
- Providing up to 16 facilitated virtual sessions annually
- Building capacity in processes, procedures, and content related to special education dispute resolution
- Offering legal updates through practicing special education attorneys, including recent court cases and guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
Participants leave these workgroup sessions with a deeper understanding of current legal issues in special education, strengthened skills in dispute resolution practices, and practical strategies to enhance their state’s systems. We are proud to support ongoing professional growth and help ensure our participating states' compliance with IDEA.
Quarterly Schedule
The DRSE Workgroups convene four times a year - in February, May, August, and November - with dedicated sessions for each role. Each session is facilitated by a legal expert and tailored to the unique needs of each group. Each session offers affordable, relevant, and ongoing training tailored to the needs of dispute resolution specialists and SEA staff.
Sessions are typically held mid-month and scheduled in advance to support planning and participation. Dates for 2026 are as follows:
| Role | February 2026 | May 2026 | August 2026 | November 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Investigators | Feb 3 | May 5 | Aug 11 | Nov 3 |
| Due Process Hearing Officers | Feb 5 | May 7 | Aug 13 | Nov 5 |
| IEP Facilitators | Feb 10 | May 12 | Aug 18 | Nov 17 |
| Mediators | Feb 12 | May 14 | Aug 20 | Nov 19 |
Interested in Joining?
If your state is not yet participating or you’d like more information, please reach out!
Talk to Laura Lema at