Discrimination/Harassment Complaints
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How and Why to File a Discrimination / Harassment Complaint
The resolution of most complaints is the responsibility of local educational agencies (LEAs), which consist of local school districts, county offices of education and charter schools. LEAs are required to establish local complaint policies that describe the procedures that must be followed to resolve complaints. These are knowns as the Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) that provide for prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic. The LEA must notify pupils, parents, teachers, and the community of its local complaint procedures and identify the person or persons responsible for processing complaints.
If you are a pupil, parent, interested third party or organization and you want to report an instance of discrimination, harassment, intimidation and/or bullying on the basis of a protected characteristic, a complaint must be filed with your LEA no later than 6 months from the date the incident occurred, or the date you first obtained knowledge that the incident occurred. Your LEA may have a complaint form available for your use, however you are not required to use the complaint form provided by the LEA in order to file a complaint. It is a good idea to make a copy of the complaint for the record.
Learn more about Resolution of Discrimination/Harassment Complaints >