Disputes are most effectively resolved at the earliest stage possible. SERC provides trainings to school districts and parents to help with the challenging conversations that take place and facilitate effective collaboration.
Student outcomes are best when parties learn to effectively communicate their interests and needs and work together to develop appropriate services for children with disabilities.
For questions or details on additional training opportunities, please contact SERC at 918-270-1849 or 888-267-0028 (toll-free).
Customized Training and Event Requests
SERC can attend an event and/or provide customized training to your district, organization, or community related to your needs, including but not limited to, the following areas:
- Intro to SERC
- Building Relationships and Dispute Resolution Services
- Navigating Difficult Conversations
- Effective Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Meetings
- Child Find
- Discipline and Manifestations
- Related Services – Clinical Model vs. Educational Model
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and/or Section 504 Overview
- Collaborative Communication for Effective Advocacy
To schedule a training with SERC or have SERC attend your event, fill out the SERC Event Request form.
Presentations and Helpful Resources
The following resources were developed by SERC, in partnership with SERC, or in partnership with the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE). School districts and parents of students on IEPs may be interested in these training materials and other resources for effective communication between schools and families. Take a look when planning your next professional development opportunity, when in need of tips for building or mending relationships, and in setting the tone for successful IEP team meetings.
- Building Partnerships, Creating Agreement: Collaborative Problem-Solving in Early Intervention and Special Education (PDF)
- Building Relationships – English (PDF)
- Building Relationships – Spanish (PDF)
- Essential Skills for Engaging in Conflict: Six Conversations in Support of Effective Collaboration
- Gershwin Professional Development Series: Fostering Family-Professional Relationships
IEP Meeting Resources
- Using the IEP Team Communications Guidelines Flyer (PDF)
- IEP Communications Guidelines Postcard (PDF)
- Communicación Efectiva – El Equipo del IEP (PDF)
- Asking Questions Postcard (PDF)
- Haciendo Las Preguntas Correctas (PDF)
- Managing Difficult Emotions Postcard (PDF)
- Manejando Emociones Difíciles (PDF)
CADRE’s Working Together and Through Conflict Resources
Attention families and educators supporting students with IEPs! Check out CADRE‘s top collaboration and early conflict resolution resources and move toward more collaborative and productive IEP meetings.
- ASK Resource Center- Communication Tips for Educators
- ASK Resource Center- Communication Tips for Parents
- CADRE- Engaging Parents in Productive Partnerships
- CADRE- Steps to Success- Communicating With Your Child’s School
Facilitation Training
SERC offers this one-day course to school district personnel. The training provides an overview of facilitation to include facilitator qualities and skills, key functions of a facilitator, the facilitator’s role before, during, and after a meeting, and 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 benefits districts that want to develop in-house facilitators for IEP meetings.
The training is offered in person with regional classes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. All classes are open to district administrators, special education directors/staff, and parent agencies. The course runs from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
This training is available at no cost through our partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Attendance is required on both days. Please note: If by three business days before a Facilitation Training or Crucial Conversations session, fewer than ten participants are registered, the class will be canceled.
Registered participants will be notified and given the opportunity to enroll in another available session. These training opportunities are available for reimbursement through OSDE Project 613 funds for sub coverage and associated travel costs.
For more information about Facilitation Training, contact SERC’s Program Coordinator, Rob Keiter at rob.keiter@okstate.edu or 918-213-0430.
Fall 2026 Classes Open for Registration
OKC Regional – September
Monday, September 14, 2026
Conference Room 307, Mid-Del Learning Services Center
4731 Judy Dr.
Del City, OK 73115
Register for the September Facilitation Training class
Tulsa Regional – October
Monday, October 5, 2026
SERC Training Room (see registration form for details)
Register for the October Facilitation Training class
OKC Regional – November
Monday, November 9, 2026
Conference Room 307, Mid-Del Learning Services Center
4731 Judy Dr.
Del City, OK 73115
Register for the November Facilitation Training class
Tulsa Regional – December
Monday, December 7, 2026
SERC Training Room (see registration form for details)
Register for the December Facilitation Training class
Crucial Conversations Training
Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is a nationally recognized training that helps people have difficult 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 can help you in your conversations with:
- School Administrators
- Staff and personnel including general ed teachers
- Service/resource providers
- IEP team members
- Parents and their advocates
We offer in-person regional classes in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. All classes are open to district administrators, special education directors/staff, and parent agencies. The in-person format is a two-day training from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is available at no cost through our partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Attendance is required on both days. Please note: If by three business days before a Facilitation Training or Crucial Conversations session, fewer than ten participants are registered, the class will be canceled.
Registered participants will be notified and given the opportunity to enroll in another available session. These training opportunities are available for reimbursement through OSDE Project 613 funds for sub coverage and associated travel costs.
For more information about Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue, please contact Rob Keiter at rob.keiter@okstate.edu or 918-213-0430.
Fall 2026 Classes Open for Registration
Tulsa Regional – September
Tuesday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 16, 2026
SERC Training Room (see registration form for details)
Register for the September Crucial Conversations class
OKC Regional – November
Tuesday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Conference Room 307, Mid-Del Learning Services Center
4731 Judy Dr.
Del City, OK 73115
Register for the November Crucial Conversations class
Tulsa Regional – December
Tuesday, December 8 and Wednesday, December 9, 2026
SERC Training Room (see registration form for details)