Register here for the Live Online IEP Facilitation Certificate Program taking place July 20 - 23, 2026 in four 3-hour sessions.

Strengthen your skills to navigate special education discussions during IEP Team, faculty and parent/caregiver meetings. 

Special Education teams are being asked to navigate increasingly complex conversations with families, service providers, advocates, and internal school teams. At the same time, districts are working to reduce escalation, support staff, improve communication, and resolve disagreements before they become formal disputes.

This live online certificate program is designed to help Special Education professionals build the conflict resolution and collaborative discussion skills needed to support more productive IEP Team meetings and prevent disputes from escalating.

Program Dates and Times

Dates: July 20–23, 2026
Time: 12:00–3:00 PM ET
Format: Live Online
Instructor: Dr. Antoine L. Hickman Ed.D., Former Assistant State Superintendent for the Division of Special Education in Maryland

About the Instructor

Dr. Antoine L. Hickman Ed.D. brings extensive experience in Special Education leadership at both the state and district levels. His work has focused on helping schools, administrators, and Special Education professionals navigate the legal, educational, and human dynamics that arise in Special Education matters.

Learn more about Dr. Hickman here.

Learning Objectives

Participants will develop practical skills in:

• Special Education dispute resolution

• Parent-school communication

• Conflict de-escalation

• Mediation principles and process

• Productive participation in difficult IEP-related conversations

• Building internal district capacity before disputes escalate

Benefits of this Training for States, Districts and Education Staff 

Special Education mediation and facilitation skills are no longer optional “extra” skills for districts. They are essential tools for today’s Special Education environment. These skills are a strong line of defense against increasing parent-school conflicts that lead to due process hearings and litigation.

In addition to saving districts the time, expense and animosity that are often associated with adversarial processes, this training provides a valuable professional development opportunity sought by education staff, thereby improving engagement and retention. 

July provides a convenient timeframe for administrators, teachers, and Special Education staff to complete this training before the demands of the new school year begin.

Secure Your Seat Today!

Join Dr. Antoine L. Hickman Ed.D. this summer for a live online certificate program designed to help Special Education teams communicate more effectively, manage difficult conversations, and reduce escalation before disputes become formal complaints.