June 2026

Introduction to SERC

The Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) has been collaborating with the Oklahoma State Department of Education for 20 years to help families and school districts resolve conflicts at the earliest stage possible. SERC provides services for children from birth to three years old in SoonerStart and for students ages three through 21 in public schools.

The Oklahoma State University Department of Wellness – Sponsored Programs (DOWSP) is the lead agency for SERC.

What Does SERC provide?

• Training on communication and collaboration skills to help prevent conflict.
• An Individualized Education Program (IEP) Facilitator to manage conflict during contentious IEP meetings.
• A mediator to guide a structured process in which parents and personnel can resolve specific issues related to special education.
• A  Due Process Hearing Officer at an administrative hearing to resolve, what could not be resolved at an earlier stage. During the resolution time of the process, SERC can provide a facilitator to help the parties discuss the hearing issues in a safe and structured setting and try to resolve them if possible.

View the What Can SERC Do For You Flyer.

Which Dispute Resolution Option is Best for You?

You may be wondering which dispute resolution process would be the best for you when dealing with special education-related disputes. The Dispute Resolution chart will help you understand the differences between the four processes offered in Oklahoma. Each of these are offered at no cost to schools and parents. Please contact SERC with any questions related to dispute resolution options. SERC staff will help ensure you are fully informed on the processes and make the choice that best fits your needs.

• View the English version of the dispute resolution chart (PDF)
• View the Spanish version of the dispute resolution chart (PDF)

Director’s Letter

We have reached the halfway point of summer, and my sincere hope is everyone has taken the opportunity to relax, go on adventures, spend time with family, or whatever gives your heart joy! Taking time to be with loved ones and participate in activities that “fill your cup” helps to revitalize and replenish energy for a fresh start.

As we enter July, many families and schools begin to look ahead to the new school year around this time. While it’s tempting to focus on schedules, supplies, staffing changes, classroom assignments, and calendars, I encourage all of us to spend time preparing for something just as important – our relationships. Investing deeply in relationships to work towards our collective objective of meeting the needs of students is the most important.

Every school year begins with a shared goal for both schools and families – to effectively educate students so they can continue to make meaningful progress. The relationship between school districts and families in developing an appropriate individualized education program (IEP) for a student with a disability is ongoing and involves differing opinions. It’s human nature that individuals will not always agree. However, when those disagreements arise, it can be easy to lose sight of the common purpose and begin to see each other as adversaries, rather than allies. As attributed to Mahatma Ghandi, “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.” While disagreement is natural, navigating those difficult conversations with respect and a heart of collaboration will benefit the student the most.

At SERC, we believe many disputes are easier to prevent than resolve. Clear and early communication can address concerns before they become conflicts. SERC is continuing to develop resources designed to support partnerships and collaborative problem-solving. I encourage parents and schools to explore some of the tools available on our website, including Communication Guidelines, Asking Questions for Dialogue, Communicating with Your School, and Engaging with Parents. These resources are designed to help all parties approach conversations with greater clarity, understanding, and a partnership-minded viewpoint.

We are also excited to share our new Summary of Oklahoma Dispute Resolution Options resource. One of the trends we have noticed is that individuals sometimes move forward with a dispute resolution process before fully understanding all the available options. This new resource is designed to provide a side-by-side look at all four dispute resolution options available and to compare features such as purpose, timelines, who makes decisions, and potential outcomes. Our hope is that this resource encourages individuals to pause, review the available pathways, and make informed decisions based on their specific needs and goals. As Viktor E. Frankl states, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”

An informed decision is often a more effective decision. Understanding the purpose, expectations, and possible outcomes of a process can help everyone move forward with greater confidence and fewer surprises. While it is not our role to tell families or schools which option they should choose, we are always happy to provide information that helps individuals understand what each process involves; thus, we encourage anyone to reach out with questions as you evaluate your options and make decisions.

As we begin another school year, I hope we can all commit to approaching one another as allies, rather than adversaries. The most successful outcomes for students rarely come from proving who is right, but from listening to understand and working together to solve problems. A new school year is a fresh start; an opportunity to build trust, strengthen relationships, and create conditions for meaningful collaboration.

Thank you to families for your tireless advocacy and purposeful partnership with schools, and educators for the hard work you do on behalf of Oklahoma’s students. We look forward to continuing to support schools and families as they work together to create positive outcomes for children.

Enjoy the June SERC Scoop, and please reach out when you need us!

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” – Ken Blanchard

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 individualized education program (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 Oklahoma State Department of Education (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)

Fall Semester Facilitation Training Dates

OKC Regional – Monday, September 14, 2026

Mid-Del Special Services Building, Mid-Del, OK (see registration form for details)

Register for the September Facilitation Training class

Tulsa Regional – Monday, October 5, 2026

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

Register for the October Facilitation Training class

OKC Regional – Monday, November 6, 2026

Mid-Del Special Services Building, Mid-Del, OK (see registration form for details)

Register for the November Facilitation Training class

Tulsa Regional – Monday, December 7, 2026

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

Register for the December 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 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)

Fall Semester Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue Dates

Tulsa Regional – Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16, 2026

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

Register for the September Crucial Conversations class

OKC Regional – Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Mid-Del Special Services Building, Mid-Del, OK (see registration form for more details)

Register for the November Crucial Conversations class

Tulsa Regional – Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9, 2026

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

Register for the December Crucial Conversations 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.

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