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Parent Guide to Resolution

As a parent you may have a question or concern about an aspect of your child's educational experience from time to time. The following model represents some of the best practices for handling complaints fairly and respectfully.

Public Complaint Form

Required

This form should only be used if you've already contacted your students school (teacher, principal) and your concern was not addressed. When this form is submitted, district leadership are notified.
 
To report an Active Threat, Bullying, COVID Concern, Drugs/Alcohol, Fighting, Personal Crisis, Vandalism, or Weapons please use our Tip Line instead of this form.
Your Namerequired
First Name
Last Name
Concern is related to:
To submit this form you must have already spoken to a school staff member.
Please include:
  • What your specific concerns are
  • When and where the incident occurred
  • Who else was involved 
  • Whether anyone saw it happen
  • Whom you have spoken to already 
  • What you want to happen as a result of your concern/complaint

Complaints Related to Federal Programs:

A citizen complaint is a written statement that alleges a violation of a federal rule, law or regulation or state regulation that applies to a federal program.

Anyone can file a citizen complaint. There is no special form. There is no need to know the law that governs a federal program to file a complaint.

See links listed below, or visit the OSPI website for more information.

Citizen Complaint is now available in Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese

File a Citizen Complaint Against a School District, ESD or Other School Service Provider 
This page — and the printable handouts below — outline the 5-step process through which a citizen can file a complaint against a school district, educational service district (ESD) or other school service provider(subgrantee).
English | Русский | Español | Việt

File a Citizen Complaint Against OSPI

This page — and the printable handouts below — outline the 4-step process through which a citizen can file a complaint against OSPI. 
English | Русский | Español | Việt

Resource for Families, Staff, and Students:
Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds

The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is an independent state agency that helps to reduce educational opportunity gaps by supporting families, students, educators, and other stakeholders in communities across WA in understanding the K-12 school system and resolving concerns collaboratively. OEO services are free and confidential. Anyone can contact OEO with a question or concern about K-12 public schools.

The Washington State Office of Education Ombuds (OEO) listens, shares information and referrals, and works with families, communities, and schools to address concerns so that every student can fully participate and thrive in our state’s public schools. OEO provides support in multiple languages and has telephone interpretation available. To get help or learn more about what OEO does, please visit our website: https://www.oeo.wa.gov/en; email oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov, or call: 1-866-297-2597 (interpretation available).

Link to OEO Awareness Flyer - English/Spanish