Rhode Island Dispute Resolution

Productive, shared decision-making among families and school team members is an important factor in ensuring a free, appropriate public education (FAPE) for each child with a disability. Relationships and trust are the core of family-school partnership; differences in perspective and opinion among parents and professionals, within and beyond the evaluation and IEP process, are expected and valuable when productively managed. The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) recognizes that shared decision-making can be challenging, and there are times when family and school  team members do not reach agreement or when a students entitlements may come under question. The RIDE Office of Student, Community and Academic Supports (OSCAS) offers several state level options to assist families and schools in resolving issues that remain even after those issues are reconsidered through local, informal dispute resolution.

OSCAS Call Center: 401-222-8999