Complaints
The TEA complaints process allows parents and the public to report any suspected violations of laws by Texas public school systems or staff to the agency. If you have a concern with your school or school system, or if you have identified an issue that may constitute a violation of the Texas Education Code, TEA encourages you first to contact your campus or school system to try to reach a resolution. If you are unable to reach a resolution informally, TEA can help you contact your school system or investigate matters that you believe may violate state or federal laws.
Ways to File a Complaint
School and Local Level
If you have a concern, talking to your child’s teacher or school administrator is the best place to start. If informal discussions at the school-level are unsuccessful, every school system in Texas is required to have a Local Grievance Process for listening and responding to concerns.
Every district's process might be a little different. To find your district's local grievance policy, ask an administrator how to access the relevant policies, which might be on the district's board policy website. If you choose to file a local grievance, acting quickly is important to meet your school district's reporting deadlines. You may be required to report your concern within 10–15 days of becoming aware of the issue.
State Level
When concerns cannot be resolved with the school system, or fall within TEA's investigative authority, the agency has several processes in place to support you with your complaint.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
A process where TEA connects you with your school district's superintendent, in writing, and formally asks the district to engage with you to attempt to reach an agreement that addresses your concern.
General Education Complaints Process
Enables any person, group of individuals, or organization to file a complaint with TEA regarding a violation of school law.
Special Education Dispute Resolution Process
Helps parents and schools resolve disputes arising under federal and state special education law.
Appeal to the Commissioner of Education
Designed for parents, students, or educators that have completed their school system's grievance process and wish to appeal the school board's final decision.
Reporting Fraud, Waste or Abuse in Texas
If you have a concern involving state and federal resources concerning Texas public schools and Education Services Centers (ESCs), you may file a report with the State Auditor's Office (SAO).
The State Auditor's Office (SAO) investigates allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to funds from the General Appropriations Act. This includes, but is not limited to, expenditures by state agencies, colleges and universities or use of state grant money.
To file a report, you can call the SAO Hotline at 1-800-TX-AUDIT (892-8348) or visit the State Auditor's Office Website at https://sao.fraud.texas.gov/.
Reports may also be mailed to:
State Auditor's Office
Atten: Investigations and Audit Support
P.O. Box 12067
Austin, TX 78711-2067
| I want to... | Resource |
|---|---|
| Ask questions and/or provide feedback regarding Open Education Resources | OpenEducationResources@tea.texas.gov |
| Share comments or concerns | Feedback |
| Find answers to other common education questions | General Inquiry |
| Find answers to Educator Certification issues | TEA Help Desk |
Complaints Handled by Other Agencies
TEA only handles complaints related to violation of school law or the agency itself. Other agencies can address matters related to the following:
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) - United States Department of Education
- Discrimination complaints (including Section 504 violations) - Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
- Hazardous conditions or health standards in school facilities – Department of State Health Services
- Public school employee employment claims (wage and salary disputes) – Texas Workforce Commission
- Equal employment opportunity - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Criminal allegations - Appropriate law enforcement entities and school officials
- Open government ethics - Office of Attorney General
- School board member elections - Secretary of State
- Interscholastic sports and programs in schools - University Interscholastic League (UIL)
- Private school accreditation - Texas Private School Accreditation Commission and International Associate for Learner Driven Schools
- Post-secondary public institutions, colleges, and universities - The Higher Education Coordinating Board
- Home schooling - Texas Home School Coalition
- Childcare facilities - Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Driver Training- Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
