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Complaints and Appeals

File a Complaint

Use the form linked above to file a complaint regarding Division 22 Standards, discrimination, restraint and seclusion, retaliation or religious entanglement.

To file a complaint regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), email Special Education Legal Specialist Mike Franklin.

If you want to revoke consent for the placement of a student with a disability on an abbreviated school day program or have other concerns related to abbreviated school days or abbreviated school day programs, please email ODE’s abbreviated school day team.

Child Nutrition Program Civil Rights complaints can be made on a separate web page.


Frequently Asked Questions

Access the following linked questions to read the answers.

Some complaints, such as those involving religious entanglement and special education, can be filed directly with the Oregon Department of Education.

Others, like Division 22 standards, discrimination, restraint and seclusion, and retaliation, must first go through the school district's complaint process before being appealed to the department. For more information, contact our complaints and appeals team. 

At this time the department lacks the ability to take Division 22 standards, discrimination, restraint and seclusion, and retaliation without the local school districts complaint process being exhausted.

Find out more information about when a complaint can be accepted on appeal. 


The Oregon Department of Education handles complaints and appeals related to:

Division 22 standards (educational requirements set by Oregon legislature or State Board of Education)

  • Division 22 standards are educational standards that either the Oregon legislature or the State Board of Education has determined are necessary. Examples include the minimum number of credits necessary to graduate high school, the use of statewide assessments and the availability of specific programs, such as a talented and gifted program.

Discrimination (based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, or disability)

Restraint and seclusion (inappropriate physical handling or isolation of students)

  • Restraint occurs when a person restricts a student's movement by holding the student or applying physical pressure upon the student. Seclusion occurs when a student is involuntarily confined in a room without access to staff and is prevented from leaving the room. Under Oregon law, when a student is restrained or secluded, the student's parent or legal guardian must be notified of the incident and invited to a meeting to discuss the incident. The law also prohibits the use of chemical restraints, mechanical restraints, and prone restraints. To learn more click here. 

Retaliation (adverse actions taken against students for reporting violations)

  • Retaliation occurs when a person makes a decision that adversely affects a student because the student reported evidence that the student believed to be a violation of law. Under Oregon's anti-retaliation statute, it is unlawful for a school to retaliate against a student.

Religious entanglement (inappropriate involvement of public schools in religious activities)

  • Under Oregon law, a public school may not financially support or be actively involved with religious activity. 

Special education (under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA)

  • The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law designed to ensure that students with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education. Schools must follow IDEA and the specific rules set by the State Board of Education to implement it.
  • If your concern is about services or support under IDEA, please contact the Office of Enhancing Student Opportunities, as they handle these specific complaints.

To learn more, you may contact our complaints and appeals team.

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As a local control state, Oregon's public schools are regulated by locally elected school boards. The Oregon Department of Education steps in to address complaints or appeals only when authorized by federal or state law and adhering to established guidelines for the appeals process. ​

To learn more about the department’s ability to accept complaints, you may ​contact our complaints and appeals team​​.

Students attending public charter schools or public alternative education programs,  might have different complaint processes. For more information:

  • Public charter schools: Contact Charter School Specialist Kate Pattison. You may email Kate Pattison or call her at (503) 580-5749.
  • Private alternative education programs: Contact Alternative Education Specialist Annie Marges. You may email Annie​ Marges​ or call her at (503) 934-0787.
  • ​Private schools: Janette Newton is the Oregon Department of Education's ombudsman of private schools. You may email Janette Newton or call her at (503) 947-5638.​

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​If your complaint isn't accepted, there are several departments ready to provide support. It's important to connect with the right office so we can assist you effectively. Even if your concern isn't covered on this page, remember that the Oregon Department of Education is here to help. The department has experts on everything ranging from in-district transfers to private schools. To reach the right expert, please contact Elena Mandujano​​.​




​Discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently, whether intentionally or unintentionally, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, and/or disability. Under Oregon's anti-discrimination statute, it is unlawful for a school district, public charter school, or other public education entity to discriminate against a student or other person. ​


Orders

Resource for Download:

Complaint Process Flowchart ODE appeals.pdf

Complaint Process Flowchart ODE appeals.JPG

Complaint Process Flowchart ODE appeals 2.JPG