2026 CASE Conference

Leading Effective IEP Partnerships: How Special Education Directors Support Principals in Reducing Conflict (Room Rotunda)

13 Nov 26
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

Tracks: Conflict Resolution: Resolving Challenges

Speaker(s): Jenna Basile, Technical Assistance Specialist, Lead IDEA Center at the American Institutes for Research (AIR); Timara Davis, Technical Assistance Specialist, Lead IDEA Center at the American Institutes for Research (AIR)

Strong collaboration around IEP development and implementation requires clear communication, shared expectations, and legally grounded practices that support families throughout the process. Special education directors play a critical role in strengthening school leadership capacity by providing legal guidance, establishing consistent expectations, and supporting principals with navigating complex IEP dynamics. Drawing on IDEA procedural safeguards, common sources of disagreement, and research-aligned communication practices, this session examines how directors can build school leaders’ capacity to reduce conflict by fostering meaningful partnerships with families and engaging advocates as constructive members of the IEP team. Participants explore interpersonal and systemic barriers that contribute to conflict and examine practical strategies directors can use throughout the IEP process to promote clarity, early problem solving, and productive dialogue, positioning school leaders to support student-centered, partnership-driven IEP experiences.