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 Special 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 and other general information, see the website of the State Department of Education, https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/School-Climate/Bullying-and-Harassment/Related-Resources. An individual who is unable to write may submit a complaint by telephoning Bureau staff at 860-713-6928.

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, harassment, discrimination, contact:

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

Adrian R. Wood, Ph.D
State Title IX Coordinator/Turnaround Office
Connecticut State Department of Education
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 602
Hartford, CT 06103
adrian.wood@ct.gov
Phone: 860-713-6795

Formal complaints based on protected classes should be directed to:

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO)
450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 2
Hartford, Connecticut 06103
Telephone: 860-541-3400
Toll Free (CT): 1-800-477-5737
Web site: https://www.ct.gov/chro/site/default.asp
Online Complaint Form

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/jm
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2024

211 is a program of United Way of Connecticut and is supported by the State of Connecticut and Connecticut United Ways.

Substance Use Disorder Programs that serve as an intake for agencies which evaluate individuals who are in need of substance use services and are directed to the number of subsidized beds that may be available in the community. Some programs may also offer medical detoxification services for people who need them.

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