These procedures should be referred to only during non-violent and rational confrontations where the teacher does not feel that his/her personal safety may be in danger. If the teacher feels that this is a potentially violent and irrational confrontation, the teacher is advised to use school security procedures. 

Common Complaint Procedures 
Step 1: Parents must communicate their disagreement with a teacher by phone conversation, a written letter, or a pre-arranged informal conference. 

Step 2: Parents must then arrange a formal or informal meeting with the assistant principal and with the teacher present. 

Step 3: If there is still parental dissatisfaction, the parent must then arrange a formal or informal meeting with the school principal. 

Step 4: If there is disagreement with the principal's decision then a parent may fill out a district complaint form regarding the incident and send it to the proper district personnel. 

Click Here For An Example Complaint Form

Uniform Complaint Procedures
California Department of Education
What are the responsibilities of the complainant?
The complainant: 
* Receives complaint procedures from the local agency (LA) 
* Files a written complaint and follows the steps in the local complaint procedures 
* May appeal to the California Department of Education (CDE) for resolution if he or she is dissatisfied with the decision of the LA 
* May appeal to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction if he or she is dissatisfied with the determination of the CDE

What are the responsibilities of the local agency?
The local agency: 
* Ensures compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. 
Designates a staff member to be responsible for complaint resolution. 
* Adopts complaint policies and procedures consistent with the California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Sections 4600-4671. 
* Notifies, at least annually, parents, employees, committees, students, and other interested parties of local complaint procedures, including the opportunity to appeal the agency's decision. The notice must also advise recipients of any legal remedies that may be available. The notice must be (a) in English; (b) in the primary language of the students when 15 percent or more of the students in a school speak that language; or (c) in the mode of communication of the recipient of the notice. 
* Protects complainants from retaliation.
* Ensures confidentiality.
* Implements the following procedures: 

1. Any individual, public agency, or organization alleging a violation of federal or state statutes may file a written complaint regarding specific programs with the LA. 
2. Discrimination complaints must be filed with the LA or the CDE by a person harmed or by a person on behalf of another. These complaints must be filed no later than six months from the occurrence or when they are first acknowledged. The LA and the CDE must protect the confidentiality of the parties and the facts related to the case. 

* Resolves the complaint through mediation or investigation and completes a written report within 60 days of receipt of a complaint. The LA must give the filing party an opportunity to present evidence relevant to the complaint. The LA must also advise the complainant regarding rights of appeal within 15 days of receipt of the written report to the CDE. 
* Submits, on notification of an appeal, the following to the CDE: 

1. The original complaint 
2. A copy of the LA decision 
3. A summary of the nature and extent of the mediation or investigation conducted by the local agency if not covered in the LA decision
4. A report of any action taken to resolve the complaint 
5. A copy of the LEA complaint procedures 
6. Such other relevant information as the State Superintendent may require 

* May appeal to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction if the LA or complainant is dissatisfied with the decision of the CDE. 

What are the responsibilities of the California Department of Education?
The California Department of Education: 
* Keeps a file for every written complaint received 
* Refers each complaint to the LA for resolution when appropriate 
* Requests a report of the LA's action when appropriate
* Conducts a mediation or investigation when: 

1. The LA fails to act within 60 days or an agreed-upon time line. 
2. A complainant appeals an LA decision. 
3. The Department determines that direct intervention is necessary. 

* Requires corrective action by the LA concerning compliance issues identified through investigations of complaints 
* Provides technical assistance to correct compliance issues 

Contact Persons for Programs and Services Covered Under Uniform Complaint Procedures, California Department of Education
 

Program	Contact	Telephone
Child Development Resource and Referral  State Preschool Exceptional Needs  General  Head Start	Carol Rush, Director	661-273-4710
National School Breakfast/Lunch Program Nutrition Services	Mary Overton, Director V. Atkinson, Asst. Director Mary Kasarda, Asst. Director	661-266-7216
Consolidated Categorical Aid Improving America's School Act Titles I, II, IV, and VI  Miller-Unruh Special Reading  School-Based Coordinated School Improvement Program	Betty Stiers, Director	661-266-7217
Migrant Education  Economic Impact Aid-State Program for Students Of Limited English Proficiency  Community Based English Tutoring  Improving America's Schools Act Title VII	Roger Gallizzi, Director	661-456-3000
Special Education	Lynette Hodson, Director	661-266-7211
Nondiscrimination Requirements and Civil Rights Protections Office of Equal Opportunity	Rick Grove, Director	661-266-7216
Adult Education	Joan Daily Polster	916-322-2175
National School Lunch	John Salvetti Wolfe	916-322-8316
Categorical Programs Complaints Management Unit	Complaint Unit	916-657-3630
Migrant Education	Manuel R. Alfaro	916-657-4294
Vocational Education	Doug Mahr	916-657-5405

For additional general information on uniform complaint procedures, 
contact Howie DeLane, Categorical Programs Complaints Management, 
California Department of Education, 
P.O. Box 944272, Sacramento, CA 94244-2720
916-657-3630
or visit their website at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ccpdiv