34 CFR §668.115

1. (a)In the event that the hearing official considers a prehearing conference necessary, he may convene a prehearing conference.
2. (b)The purpose of a prehearing conference is to allow the parties to settle or narrow the dispute. A prehearing conference consists of—
   1. (1)A telephone conference call;
   2. (2)An informal meeting of the parties with the hearing official; or
   3. (3)The submission and exchange of written materials by the parties.
3. (c)All prehearing conferences requiring appearances by the parties shall take place in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.