The Broader View of Ombuds in Public Schools

The Fall 2016 issue of the American Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Magazine features an article by Charles ("Chuck") Howard.  "A Broader View of Dispute Resolution" provides context for a new initiative of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section's Ombuds Committee: spotlighting the potential for Ombuds programs in public school systems.  

Here's a short excerpt:

Our public K-12 school systems are a great example of both the need for and the possible opportunities provided by an effective ombuds program. As most of us know all too well, conflicts between parents and school administrators abound, but the traditional means of resolving these disputes, whether through litigation or administrative complaint processes, can be expensive, time-consuming, adversarial, and inflexible for everyone involved. Many disputes take months, or even years, to resolve through formal channels.

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School systems are just one arena where ombuds programs are a valuable resource, and in our increasingly complex and frequently global society, there are many more.

(ABA DRS Magazine.)

Related posts about: Schools Ombuds, including Education Law Expert Explains Why Schools Should Have Ombuds. 

Other related posts:  ABA Dispute Resolutions Newsletter Focuses on Ombuds; Guide to Ombuds Sessions at 2015 ABA Dispute Resolution Conference; ABA Webinar to Spotlight Ombuds in Healthcare; ABA Labor and Employment Law Conference to Feature Ombuds;  UN Ombuds to Headline ABA Dispute Resolution Conference; ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Devotes Newsletter to Ombuds Issues; New Chair of ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Has Ties to Ombuds; Many 2016 ABA Dispute Resolution Section Leaders Have Ombuds Ties.