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Good faith refers to acting honestly, transparently, and with a genuine intention to resolve a problem or meet an obligation. In school contexts, good faith means that all parties participate in discussions with the goal of finding workable solutions for a student, rather than delaying action, withholding information, or engaging in processes that appear cooperative but are unlikely to lead to meaningful change. Acting in good faith includes communicating clearly, following through on commitments, sharing relevant information, and being open to adjusting plans when something is not working. For families advocating for a child, good faith participation also means raising concerns respectfully and engaging with proposed solutions. When schools and families both act in good faith, collaboration is more likely to result in timely supports and improved access to education for the student.

“Collaboration” is often presented as a moral requirement, but it is not always appropriate — especially when serious harm is occurring. Collaboration assumes shared power and good faith. Many complaint situations involve neither. When a school controls information, staffing, documentation, and…