1. When Things Go Awry: Managing Conflict
Chapter Thirteen
When Things Go Awry: Managing Conflict
© 2016 Taylor & Francis

2. In This Chapter You Should:
Identify the causes and costs of conflict among teams
Identify strategies for managing conflict among teams
List and explain the various steps in due process procedures
© 2016 Taylor & Francis

3. Possible Causes of Conflicts
In a school setting, many things can cause conflict
To help avoid conflict, some things should NOT occur:
Clearly stated goals and purposes for a team have not been expressed.
Meeting times are not realistic or change without notice.
Team members may harbor long-term resentment toward one another.
Team members’ personalities may not complement one another.
Team members were not selected thoughtfully or with care.
Individual team members have different expectations for the team purpose and goals.
© 2016 Taylor & Francis

4. Managing Conflict Conflict resolution is a skill that
Develops over time
Not resolving conflict can:
create unnecessary costs
waste time
lead to poor decisions
cause members to transfer schools or move districts
cause the restricting of teams to avoid more conflict
sabotage may occur if team members become interpersonally conflicted
team members may lose motivation
team members may miss work to avoid conflict
© 2016 Taylor & Francis

5. Managing Conflict Managing conflict requires the consideration of:
The stance
Position of those in conflict
The interests
Motivations of members in conflict
The needs
Often times these are psychological needs (e.g., the need to teach lesson plans in the manner preferred by one teacher)
© 2016 Taylor & Francis

6. Managing Conflict There are six steps to managing conflict
To manage conflict parties must first agree to negotiate
Team members must gather various points of view; communication is key during this step
Team members must find common interests
Team members need to create win-win options
Team members need to evaluate the options identified
Team members need to reach an agreement
© 2016 Taylor & Francis

7. Who Is responsible?
School leaders should be prepared to step in and assist with conflicts
School principals should provide in-service training
Lead teachers should be well versed in conflict resolution
Model for other teachers
© 2016 Taylor & Francis

8. Conflicts between Schools and Families
IDEA outlines specific steps that must be followed
Due process
Mediation
Impartial third party
Impartial hearing officer
Investigates three things:
FAPE
Caregiver involvement in FAPE
Deprivation of educational benefits
State Education Agency
Local hearing / Render a decision
© 2016 Taylor & Francis