The Ministry of Education continues to encourage the use of approaches and strategies that lead to higher achievement for all students in Ontario’s publicly funded education system. This resource guide is intended to help parents, educators,2 and students with special education needs work together to prevent conflicts, resolve them quickly, and allow students to develop their full potential and succeed in school. The approaches outlined build on techniques and strategies for conflict prevention and resolution that are already in place in many school boards. There are many ways of working through conflict, ranging from informal to formal methods. This resource guide focuses on informal conflict resolution, which is often the most effective approach and enhances the ability of students, parents, and educators to arrive at shared solutions. This guide addresses conflicts affecting students with special education needs, but the strategies it discusses can be used to resolve conflicts for all students, as well as conflicts that arise in contexts outside the education system. The examples included, while based on real situations, use fictitious student names, and any resolution proposed is just one among several possible outcomes. .

Electronic reproduction. Available online at: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/elemsec/speced/shared.pdf. Also published in French under the title: Cheminer et harmonie: guide de prévention et de résolution de conflits concernant les programmes et services offerts aux élèves ayant des besoins particuliers.

Introduction -- Overview of Special Education -- Understanding Conflict -- Common Responses to Conflict -- Factors Contributing to Conflict -- Reasons for Conflict in Special Education -- Recognizing Warning Signs -- Preventing Conflicts -- A Positive School Climate -- Effective Communication: The Key to Building Positive Relationships -- Conflict Prevention Strategies -- Resolving Conflicts -- Communication Protocol -- Parent Advocacy: Helping Parents to Communicate -- Self-Advocacy: Helping Students to Acquire a Valuable Skill -- The Role of Active Listening -- The Role of Constructive Thinking -- Principles of Successful Conflict Prevention and Resolution -- 6 Collaborative Approaches to Resolving Conflicts -- Problem Solving -- Finding Common Ground -- Using a Facilitator -- Conclusion -- Appendices -- Appendix A: Roles and Responsibilities in Special Education -- Appendix B: Shared Solutions on the Go -- References -- Tear=out sheet: Shared Solutions on the Go.