State Complaint

State Complaints are part of the Procedural Safeguards for Dispute Resolution. Parents have the right to disagree with decisions that the school system makes.

When parents have a special education concern, question, or issue there are a number of options to try to resolve the disagreement. Concerns can often be resolved informally at a classroom or school level. Be sure to visit our Dispute Resolutions webpage to better understand your options.

The state complaint process can address noncompliance with the IEP under MARSE and IDEA.  A state complaint investigates if the school violated the law or failed to do something the law requires. A complaint can be filed up to one year after the problem occurs. 

• Special Education State Complaints: Procedures including Model Form 
  • شكاوى الولایة الخاصة بتعلیم ذوي الاحتیاجات الخاصة: الإجراءات والاستمارات النموذجیة
  • Quejas ante el estado sobre educación especial: Procedimientos y formularios modelo
• State Complaint Model Form
  • استمارة نموذج شكوى الوالية
  • Formulario modelo para presentar una queja ante el estado
• Corrective Action Process for Noncompliance With the IDEA and MARSE 
• Tiered Corrective Action and Technical Assistance for Districts with Multiple State Complaint Findings
• State Complaints and Due Process Complaints Fact Sheet Family Matters
• نشرة حقائق شكاوى الولاية وشكاوى الإجراءات القانونية الواجبة (العربية)
• Hoja informativa: Quejas ante el estado y quejas de debido proceso (español)

When parents have a special education concern, several options are available to address and resolve the disagreement:

• Dispute Resolution When parents have a special education concern, several options are available to address and resolve the disagreement
• Informal Meetings  Most concerns can be resolved through direct discussions with the teacher or school staff.
• Facilitation or Mediation Voluntary and confidential free services aimed at resolving disputes related to special education and early intervention services. 
• State Complaint If you believe your child’s educational rights have been violated or their IEP or IFSP is not being followed, you can file a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Education Office of Special Education.
• Due Process Complaint and Hearing A due process complaint requests a formal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge due to disagreements concerning the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or provision of FAPE.
• Civil Rights Concerns involving harassment, discrimination, access issues, or civil rights violations can be addressed through the federal Office for Civil Rights or Michigan Department for Civil Rights.
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