December 2025
SERC Scoop Newsletter

Director’s Letter

This year marks two significant anniversaries: 50 years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and 20 years since the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) began! In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EHA) into law, which later became the IDEA. Because the protections and principles of the IDEA are in federal law, the rights of students with disabilities are upheld. Our agency continues to partner with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to champion the IDEA by collaborating with parents and schools to resolve special education disputes at the earliest stage possible. The history and expansion of SERC are likely not well known, so I wanted to share it with you this month.

Around 2000, the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) created a Legislative Panel to investigate avenues for citizens with disabilities to bring forth their concerns in the State of Oklahoma. The Legislative Panel was narrowed to investigate the concerns of parents of children with disabilities within the public education system. A final report was issued, and one of the recommendations was to outsource the Due Process Hearing system from the OSDE. In December 2005, SERC, partnering with Oklahoma State University (OSU), was officially created, with Jo Anne Blades at the helm. A review of data indicated that between 2000 and 2005, Oklahoma had experienced an average of 35 to 50 due process hearings per year, and early dispute resolution options were limited in scope.

SERC reorganized the system, in collaboration with the OSDE, to update and correct shortcomings in the prior system. From 2005 until 2009, SERC managed the due process hearing system. To garner input from a variety of stakeholders across the state, the agency’s advisory council was also created, including a majority of parent or parent agency members. During this time, SERC added third-party facilitation of resolution sessions related to due process and achieved great success in resolving cases early with the assistance of a third-party neutral facilitator, thereby negating the need for a due process hearing. The facilitator balances the parties’ power and gives both parents and schools a voice in exploring settlement options, intentionally slowing the process to support fairness.

Based on the phenomenal success of settling resolution sessions to the parties’ satisfaction, OSDE increased the OSU contract for SERC to include mediation services in 2009. SERC also offered a telephone intake process with parents and schools to fully discuss the issues of any dispute before assigning a neutral service provider for mediation. Just one year later, in 2010, the organization began to offer other early dispute resolution options not required under the IDEA: individualized education program (IEP) facilitation and telephone intermediary, to help intervene earlier in the process and potentially prevent further disputes. In 2010, Oklahoma was officially designated as one of four exemplar programs in the nation by the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE).

While SERC began as a small initiative focused solely on managing the due process hearing system, the agency has continued to implement innovative practices to help resolve disputes early and prevent them through stakeholder training. The statewide data continues to show that early and preventative intervention can work, allowing families and schools to maintain collaborative partnerships while meeting the needs of students with disabilities. Not only are schools and families continuing to take advantage of early resolution, but SERC is now reaching thousands of stakeholders annually as preventative support to strengthen communication and increase understanding of the IDEA.

When Jo Anne retired in 2023, and I assumed leadership of the agency, I did so with great respect for the history and purpose of SERC. That purpose remains unchanged in supporting early, collaborative problem-solving for families and schools across Oklahoma. As we honor the 50-year legacy of the IDEA and celebrate 20 years of SERC, I extend my sincere gratitude to all who have been part of this journey and wish you peace, reflection, and renewed energy during the holiday season – the critical work continues!

Dr. Allison Conch
SERC Assistant Director

SERC Training Opportunities

Facilitation Training

SERC offers Facilitation Training as a one-day training to school district personnel, including administrators and special education directors/staff. The training provides an overview of facilitation, including facilitator qualities and skills, key functions of a facilitator, the facilitator’s role before, during, and after a meeting, along with a toolbox of practical facilitator strategies and techniques to use during a meeting. This training provides helpful resources to those who want to sharpen their skills and tools for facilitating meetings, including difficult meetings! It will also benefit districts wanting to develop in-house facilitators for IEP meetings.

The training is offered in-person with regional classes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The course is held from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This training is available at no cost to those attending through our partnership with OSDE. Choose from the training dates below and register online for the training that fits your schedule. For more information, contact SERC’s Program Coordinator, Rob Keiter, at rob.keiter@okstate.edu.

Facilitation Training Agenda (PDF)

Spring Classes Open for Registration

Monday, February 2, 2026

SERC Training Room, Tulsa, OK (see registration form for more details)

Register for the February Facilitation Training class

Monday, March 2, 2026

Conference Room A, Mid-Del Technology Center, Midwest City, OK

Register for the March Facilitation Training class

Monday, May 4, 2026

SERC Training Room, Tulsa, OK (see registration for more details)

Register for the May Facilitation Training class

Monday, June 1, 2026

Conference Room A, Mid-Del Technology Center, Midwest City, OK

Register for the June Facilitation Training class

Please note for all Facilitation trainings: If, by three business days before the session, the class does not have at least 10 registrants, the class will be cancelled, and registrants will be notified and allowed to register for another date. Reimbursement for associated travel and sub coverage costs for these trainings is available through OSDE Project 613 funds.

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is a nationally recognized training designed to help people have difficult conversations they are afraid to have or equip people with the tools necessary to have effective conversations. The focus of the training is not just about communication; it’s about helping people get the results they want and need.

Crucial Conversations can help you in your conversations with:

• School administrators
• Special education directors and staff
• School staff and personnel, including general education teachers 
• Service resource providers
• IEP team members
• Parents and their advocates
• Organizations and family support personnel that work with children with disabilities

Right now, we offer in-person regional classes in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The course is taught over two days, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM each day. Attendance is required on both days.

Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is available to participants for free through our partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). To register for a Crucial Conversations class, register online via SERC’s Stakeholder Training webpage or choose from the training dates below. For more information, please contact Rob Keiter, SERC’s Program Coordinator, at rob.keiter@okstate.edu.

Crucial Conversations In-Person Training Agenda (PDF)

Spring Classes Open for Registration

Tuesday, February 10 and Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Mid-Del Technology Center – Conference Room A, Midwest City, OK

Register for the February Crucial Conversations class

Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4, 2026

SERC Training Room, Tulsa, OK (see registration form for details)

Register for the March Crucial Conversations class

Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Conference Room A, Mid-Del Technology Center, Midwest City, OK

Register for the May Crucial Conversations class

Tuesday, June 2 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026

SERC Training Room, Tulsa, OK (see registration form for details)

Register for the June Crucial Conversations class

Please note for all Crucial Conversation trainings: If by three business days before the session, the class does not have a minimum of 10 registrants, the class will be cancelled, and registrants will be notified and allowed to register for another date. Reimbursement for associated travel and sub coverage costs for these trainings is available through OSDE Project 613 funds.

2025-26 Wisdom Wednesday Webinars – Spring Semester

Working together and through conflict to support students with disabilities can be challenging for parents and schools. Learn helpful information, tips, and techniques from the experts you can use to help navigate difficult situations.

Join SERC for a free 1.5-hour webinar series every month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM Central Standard Time (CST). Register today on the SERC  Wisdom Wednesday Monthly Webinars webpage. Check out our Wisdom Wednesday Webinars schedule for the Spring 2026 semester:

Community Resources for Students with Disabilities

January 21, 2026 – with Representatives from Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Oklahoma Family Network, and Sooner Success

Are you wondering what community resources are available for students with disabilities? Join this webinar to learn how families and schools can access these resources, including accessibility, mental health, and medical needs, and how to navigate the disability support system.

Register for the January 2026 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar

Summer Resources and Activities for Students with Disabilities (ESY vs. Other Activities)

February 18, 2026 – with various agency representatives

Students with disabilities can benefit from support during the summer months when school isn’t in session. This webinar will review eligibility considerations for Extended School Year (ESY) services and other summer offerings for transition-aged students with disabilities.

Register for the February 2026 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar

How SoonerStart Serves Students from Birth to Three

March 11, 2026 – with Christi Landis, SoonerStart Assistant Program Director

SoonerStart is Oklahoma’s early intervention program that provides services to families of children with developmental delays from birth to age three. Join this webinar to learn about SoonerStart’s services and how they collaborate with the public school system in transitioning students from home to school.

Register for the March 2026 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar

Transition Skills, Activities, and Requirements (ages 14 to graduation)

May 6, 2026 – with various school district representatives

Learn how schools can help students build their transition skills for life after high school. School districts will discuss what their programming looks like related to employment skills, post-secondary education, community participation, and independent living.

Register for the May 2026 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar

Archived Wisdom Wednesday Webinars

SERC has recorded and archived all Wisdom Wednesday Webinars from 2021 to the present. New webinars are added regularly as they are hosted, creating a rich library of insights from experts and leaders across the state and nation in the field of special education. This free resource is invaluable for both parents and educators. Explore the Wisdom Wednesday Webinar archives for various topics of interest or to learn more about SERC’s services—there’s something for everyone.

Additional Resources and Guidance

Related Services

Related services cover a wide range of supports, including but not limited to: transportation, speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, interpretation services, therapeutic recreation, orientation and mobility services, counseling, school health and nursing services, and social work services. Any service that provides developmental, corrective, or supportive assistance to help a student with a disability access and benefit from special education may be considered a related service. A student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) must clearly outline their special education services, related services, and any supplementary aids or supports. These services should be tailored to the student’s unique needs, not based on a blanket policy. Guidance from the Office of Special Education Programs, such as in A Letter to Ackerhalt, emphasizes that decisions regarding related services must be individualized to the student’s specific needs.

Team Dynamics

Team dynamics play a significant role when disputes arise in special education. Sometimes, parents and schools may express the same concerns in entirely different ways, leading to misunderstandings. In other cases, communication styles may make it difficult for one party to understand the other’s perspective fully. Personality differences can also surface when a team is passionately discussing a child’s educational needs. Past history between team members may further influence interactions.

All these factors can impact the effectiveness of an IEP meeting and potentially disrupt the collaborative process needed to move a child’s plan forward. One key element for success is creating an environment where all participants feel respected, heard, and comfortable sharing their perspectives without fear of judgment. When team members trust that their input is valued, discussions become more productive and allow for more creative solutions. To support positive meeting dynamics, SERC offers communication guidelines designed to foster collaboration and effective communication. Additionally, our national partner, CADRE, provides excellent resources for both parents and schools on effective partnerships, such as tips for communicating with your child’s school and the Working Together series for improved communication.

Special Education Advocacy

Advocacy plays a vital role in special education by ensuring families have the knowledge and confidence to participate fully in their child’s educational journey. Engaging in advocacy can provide parents with tools to understand their rights, navigate complex processes, and open doors they may not have realized existed. At its heart, advocacy is about collaboration—working together with schools to create the best possible outcomes for students.

Effective advocacy is not a punitive or “gotcha” approach. Instead, it promotes open, honest, and respectful communication between families and school teams. Advocates can help explain policies, procedures, and acronyms, ask clarifying questions, and ensure parents understand what is happening with their child’s education. When collaboration is prioritized, trust grows, and solutions can become more creative and student-focused.

For additional resources on advocacy and other learning opportunities, consider reviewing the following:

• SERC’s webinar on Special Education Advocacy: What It Is and What It Isn’t
• Oklahoma Parents Center, the state’s parent training and information center, offers many virtual and in-person training opportunities.

Follow SERC on Social Media

If you haven’t followed us on Instagram and Facebook, you’re missing out! Do you want to stay up to date on the most recent goings-on at the organization, including interviews with our service providers and a glimpse into the day-to-day lives at SERC? Do you want tips and tricks on bridging communication gaps and education for families and parents on dispute resolution? Surely you would benefit from updates on other special education news and happenings in the community that might affect YOU!

Give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Contact SERC

For more information about any of the content in this newsletter, please reach out to SERC Assistant Director, Dr. Allison Fennell-Conch.

Phone: 918-270-1849 or 888-267-0028 (toll-free)
Email: allison.conch@okstate.edu

Special Education Resolution Center
5314 S. Yale Ave
Suite #206
Tulsa, OK 74135

okserc@okstate.edu • okserc.org