SCHOOL COMPLAINTS

In Connecticut, local school districts are under the authority of the local board of education. When parents or guardians have a complaint about the school in which their child is enrolled, including any complaints about the school’s bus transportation service, they can take the complaint to a child's teacher, the principal of the school, the superintendent of the school district, or the local board of education. The State Department of Education does not take complaints on local school issues.

COMPLAINTS REGARDING SPECIAL EDUCATION

An individual or organization may submit to the Bureau of Education at the State Department of Education a written complaint that claims that a Connecticut education agency has failed to comply with a requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA - the federal special education law) or with a requirement of the Connecticut laws regarding special education. For specific requirements for submitting a complaint, see the website of the State Department of Education http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/Complaints.pdf. An individual individual who is unable to write may submit a complaint by telephoning Bureau staff at 860-713-6910.

COMPLAINTS REGARDING BULLYING AND OTHER ACTS OF BIAS

Complaints normally should go directly to the school, however the Connecticut State Department of Education also has staff that can provide technical assistance to schools and families. For assistance with complaints regarding bullying, contact:

Jo Ann Freiberg, Ph.D.
Education Consultant/School Climate, Bullying and Character Education
CT State Department of Education
Bureau of Accountability & Improvement
165 Capitol Avenue, Room 222
Hartford, CT 06106
joann.freiberg@ct.gov
Phone: (860) 713-6598
Fax: (860) 713-7023

For assistance with complaints regarding bullying, based on protected clasess (race, sex, religion, sexual orientation) or other acts of bias, contact:

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service name: School Districts

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SOURCE: Connecticut State Department of Education
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2011