Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're right, it is a deal. But the notion that the "deal" could involve losing accommodations and services is silly. The school system will make an offer either before the mediation or at the opening of mediation. That offer cannot be for less than you have now. That would be a bad faith offer.

That is simply not true. If the dispute is over the school saying services are not needed and the parent saying otherwise, it is not bad faith to offer less than the current level of services.

But mediation cannot result in an imposed result. They could OFFER whatever they want, but you don’t have to agree. You can’t end up worse than you were before, but you can walk out with no deal.

Anonymous wrote:You're right, it is a deal. But the notion that the "deal" could involve losing accommodations and services is silly. The school system will make an offer either before the mediation or at the opening of mediation. That offer cannot be for less than you have now. That would be a bad faith offer.

That is simply not true. If the dispute is over the school saying services are not needed and the parent saying otherwise, it is not bad faith to offer less than the current level of services.

You're right, it is a deal. But the notion that the "deal" could involve losing accommodations and services is silly. The school system will make an offer either before the mediation or at the opening of mediation. That offer cannot be for less than you have now. That would be a bad faith offer.

I’m the first PP and it kind of is a “deal.” The judge (or whatever the residing person is called) helps the parties work toward an agreement that is then put in written form and signed by all parties. How is that not a deal?

Mediation is not a "deal." You can't get a bad deal. You don't win or lose. There is no judge. This is why there are multiple meetings. So you can work things out.

I found mediation to be a very positive experience with MCPS. The judge in charge really helped to set a collaborative tone and I would not think it would lead to losing accommodations, but anything is possible. One warning- for me, the judge had us come back to the table (aka zoom website- not sure if it’s still online) multiple times to get things done. This surprised me as I assumed it would be one long meeting rather than 3 shorter meetings.

What do you want? What have you already tried?

Does this ever not work out and you end up getting a "bad deal" and losing accommodations or services?