Title 1 complaint resolution
Closing Educational Achievement Gaps (Title I, Part A)
Title I, Part A is a federal program designed “To provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps.”
Title I, Part A funding can support early learning and Kindergarten to grade 12. These programs and services provide customized instruction and curricula that help students meet academic standards and take an active, engaged interest in what they can learn and do. As the oldest and largest federal education program, Title I, Part A programs build equity of opportunity for children whose struggles often keep them on the academic sidelines. One-third of the public schools in Washington State operate Title I, Part A programs, providing academic services to over 350,000 students annually.
Introduction
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) legislation requires State Educational Agencies (SEAs) to adopt written procedures for receiving and resolving any complaint alleging violations of the law in administration of programs.
Definition
A complaint is a written, signed statement filed by an individual or an organization. It must include:
a) A statement that a school has violated a requirement of federal statute or regulation that applies to Title I.
b) The facts on which the statement is based.
c) Information on any discussions, meetings, or correspondence with a school regarding the complaint.
Complaint Resolution in accordance to Policy & Procedures 4220
[Chapter 392-168 WAC Special Services Programs-Citizen Complaint Procedures for Certain Categorical Federal Programs.]
1) Referral Complaints against schools should be referred to the District’s Federal Programs Office:
Jessi Olberding
Director of Special Education
217 S Hofstetter
Colville, WA 99114
509-684-7875
2) Notice to School The Federal/State Programs Office will notify the school Superintendent and Principal that a complaint has been received. A copy of the complaint will be given to the Superintendent and Principal with directions given for the Principal to respond.
3) Investigation After receiving the Principal’s response, the Federal/State Programs Office, along with the Superintendent, will determine whether further investigation is necessary. If necessary, the Federal/State Programs Director and the Superintendent may do an onsite investigation at the school.
4) Opportunity to Present Evidence The Federal/State Programs Director may provide for the complainant and the Principal to present evidence.
5) Report and Recommended Resolution Once the Federal/State Programs Director has completed the investigation and the taking of evidence, a report will be prepared with a recommendation for resolving the complaint. The report will give the name of the party bringing the complaint, the nature of the complaint, a summary of the investigation, the recommended resolution, and the reasons for the recommendation. Copies of the report will be issued to all parties involved. The recommended resolution will become effective upon issuance of the report.
6) Follow up The Federal/State Programs Director and the Superintendent will ensure that the resolution of the complaint is implemented.
7) Time Limit The period between the Federal/State Programs Director receiving the complaint and resolution of the complaint shall not exceed sixty (60) calendar days.
8) Right to Appeal Either party may appeal the final resolution to the Department of Education. Appeals should be addressed as follows:
Citizen Complaint Process
Online
Online | Phone (360) 725-6100 | TTY (360) 664-3631 | FAX (360) 586-3305
Mail Your Question
Attn: Citizen Complaint – Title I, Part A
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
P.O. Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504