How to File a Complaint

We encourage parents and public schools to work together to resolve concerns or disagreements about a student’s education or school programs. The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is a statewide agency that provides information to help navigate concerns affecting students who are enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in K–12 public education. OEO offers informal conflict resolution tools to support collaborative problem-solving and promote educational equity. These tools include coaching, facilitation, and training focused on family and community engagement, as well as systems advocacy.

Each school district and charter school also have local policies for addressing disagreements or complaints related to student discipline, bullying, and other concerns. Please contact your local school district or charter school for more information.

Depending on the nature of the concern, formal complaint options may also be available under various state and federal laws. You can find details about these processes on the pages linked below. It is important to note OSPI is authorized to formally investigate complaints only in limited circumstances. Most complaints must first be filed with your local school district or charter school.

Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO)

The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is a statewide agency that provides information for navigating concerns impacting a student enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in K-12 public education. OEO does not conduct investigations, make findings, or assist with formal complaint processes. OEO can listen and document concerns as well as share general information for available formal complaint options. To share your concerns with OEO and discuss available formal complaint processes, use one of the following options:

• Submitting an intake form online (opens in a new window)
• Calling the intake line at 1-866-297-2597
• Sending an email to oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov (opens in a new window)
• Scheduling an intake consultation (opens in a new window)
• Although rare and mostly submitted by service providers at the request of clients, completing a request for ombuds services (opens in a new window) form and faxing to 1-844-886-5196 or by mail to:
  Education Ombuds
  PO Box 40004
  Olympia, WA 98504

OEO strives to return calls within 1–3 business days, and no later than 3–5 days depending on weekends and holidays.

Special Education Complaints

Use if you believe that a public school has failed to provide a service identified in a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), has denied your student a free appropriate public education or FAPE, or has not met any other state or federal requirement related to special education.

Our goal is to return calls within 2 business days. 

Complaints About Discrimination

Use if you believe a student has experienced discrimination or discriminatory harassment. In Washington public schools, discrimination is prohibited on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, honorably discharged veteran or military status, disability, and the use of a trained dog guide or service animal.

Initial complaints and appeals will receive a response within 30 business days. 

USDA Program Discrimination Complaints

Use if you believe a school district or OSPI has engaged in discrimination in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Complaints against Teachers/Certificated Educators

Use if you believe that a certificated employee has committed an act of unprofessional conduct or lacks good moral character or personal fitness.

Federal Programs Citizen Complaints

Use if you believe that a school district or OSPI has violated a state or federal law or regulations that applies to a federal program under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Student Transfer Appeals

Use for school district denials of nonresident student transfers, also referred to as out-of-district transfers, interdistrict transfers, choice transfers, variances, waivers, or school choice.

Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and can take 4 - 6 weeks to resolve.