Marshall Peter

Marshall Peter is the Executive Director of Direction Service and the founding (1998) Director of the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) which is funded by the United States Department of Education as the National Center on Dispute Resolution. After receiving an M.S. in Special Education from the University of Oregon, Peter substitute taught in classes for students who had emotional/behavioral disorders. He began working in 1976 at Direction Service, a multi-program family support agency, as a parent advocate where he provided ongoing support and advocacy services to more than 500 families who have children with disabilities. Peter's early work as an aggressive advocate evolved into an interest in developing methods for facilitating home school partnerships that are respectful, considerate and yield equally powerful results for children and families. From 1992-1996 Peter directed a successful, USDOE funded project that field tested a conciliation model aimed at addressing the cultural barriers that interfere with the effective utilization of special education services. Peter's work in the area of conflict resolution has included presentations, training and consultation throughout the United States on appropriate dispute resolution, interest-based advocacy, consumer empowerment, wraparound services and conflict resolution system design. Peter served on the City of Eugene Human Rights Commission, the Oregon State Advisory Council for Special Education, the Oregon Disabilities Commission and as Chair of the Eugene School District Equity Committee. His work in the areas of advocacy and human rights has resulted in him receiving numerous awards.