Lindsey B. DRSE

Nationwide Virtual Trainings

Comprehensive and Affordable Professional Development in Dispute Resolution

Our DRSE Team offers nationwide virtual trainings designed to strengthen the capacity of professionals who manage and resolve special education disputes. These interactive sessions provide practical strategies, compliance guidance, and real-world scenarios - all delivered by experienced facilitators.

National Mediator Training

Mediators play a vital role in resolving conflicts between families and schools under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Over the past two decades, mediation has evolved from a simple facilitation process to a sophisticated practice informed by research and experience. This training equips participants with:

A clear understanding of IDEA’s dispute resolution requirements
Best practices for conducting effective mediation sessions
Communication and negotiation strategies to foster collaborative solutions
Tools for assessing and upgrading current mediation practices

Who Should Attend?
State mediators, IEP facilitators, and SEA staff responsible for dispute resolution oversight.

Complaint Investigator Training

Complaint investigators ensure compliance with IDEA by addressing formal complaints and recommending corrective actions. Few training opportunities exist for these professionals, yet their role is critical in safeguarding FAPE for children and youth with disabilities. Our virtual trainings will strengthen participant skills in:

Report writing and decision drafting
Staying current with special education legal updates
Determining meaningful corrective actions

Who Should Attend?
State complaint investigators and SEA leads.

Why Choose Our Trainings?

Expert-Led Instruction

Learn from seasoned professionals with deep experience in special education dispute resolution.

Comprehensive Content

Cover essential topics for mediators and complaint investigators, from fundamentals to advanced strategies.

Interactive Virtual Format

Engage in live sessions with real-world scenarios, Q&A, and practical exercises - never pre-recorded.

Affordable Access

Professional development that fits your budget without compromising quality.

Compliance Confidence

Gain tools and knowledge to meet IDEA requirements and strengthen your state’s dispute resolution system.

Career-Ready Skills

Enhance your ability to resolve disputes effectively, write clear reports, and apply best practices immediately.

Ready to strengthen your expertise?

If you would like more information or explore how our nationwide trainings can support you and your team, we would love to connect with you.

Talk to Laura Lema at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 435-797-9005

Custom Mentoring & Professional Development

Lindsey B. DRSE

Custom Mentoring & Professional Development

Comprehensive and Affordable Professional Development in Dispute Resolution

Our Services

The Dispute Resolution in Special Education (DRSE) initiative offers custom mentoring and state-specific training for professionals engaged in special education dispute resolution. These services are available to any interested state or individual, with no DRSE workgroup membership required.

Tailored to Many Roles

Our seasoned experts offer training and guidance to:

Mediators
IEP Facilitators
Complaint Investigators
Due Process Hearing Officers
New SEA Staff and Cohorts

Flexible Formats & Delivery

We collaborate with state teams to design professional development that fits your goals and context. Options include:

Customized webinars and workshops
One-on-one or small group mentoring
Virtual or in-person formats
Coaching for new staff or cohorts
Support aligned to your state’s regulations

Responsive, Relevant Topics

Training content is shaped by your needs and priorities. Common areas of focus include:

Legal and procedural updates
Best practices in dispute resolution
Communication and facilitation strategies
Accessibility and equity considerations
Virtual and hybrid service delivery

Why This Matters

Custom mentoring and professional development are a vital part of DRSE’s broader commitment to supporting dispute resolution in special education. These tailored services help states build capacity, strengthen practices, and respond to evolving needs, with the flexibility and expert guidance to meet challenges, foster growth, and improve outcomes for students and families.

Partner With Us

Let us connect you with leading experts to deliver customized, practical, and engaging professional development.

Talk to Laura Lema at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 435-797-9005

Quarterly DRSE Workgroups

Lindsey B. DRSE

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 435-797-6076

Dispute Resolution in Special Education (DRSE)

Lindsey B. DRSE

Dispute Resolution in Special Education (DRSE)

Comprehensive and Affordable Professional Development in Dispute Resolution

The Dispute Resolution in Special Education (DRSE) Network, housed at the Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE), offers comprehensive, affordable, and customizable professional development for state education agencies (SEAs) and dispute resolution specialists across the country.

DRSE supports all areas of special education dispute resolution, including mediation, IEP facilitation, complaint investigation, and due process hearings. Through expert-led trainings, collaborative workgroups, and tailored mentoring, DRSE helps states strengthen their systems and build capacity in alignment with IDEA requirements and state-specific regulations.

Quarterly DRSE Workgroups

Join a nationwide community of professionals through quarterly workgroups designed for:

Complaint investigators
Due process hearing officers
IEP facilitators
Mediators

Each year includes 16 two-hour sessions featuring facilitated discussions, legal updates, and best practices. Participating states benefit from shared learning and expert guidance.

Learn More >>

Custom Mentoring & Development

Need tailored support? DRSE offers:

One-on-one mentoring and coaching
Custom webinars and training sessions
Support for new SEA staff and contractors
Delivery options: virtual or in-person

All content is aligned to your state’s regulations and designed to meet your team’s unique needs.

Learn More >>