Complaints Addressed by Other Agencies

Some school‑related concerns fall outside TEA's authority. Review the topics below to determine which organization can best assist you.

Criminal Activity

Concerns involving possible criminal activity should be reported to:

  • Local law enforcement
  • Appropriate school officials

Discrimination

Concerns about discrimination in education programs are addressed through federal civil rights enforcement.

If you believe discrimination has occurred, you can:

  • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR), which focuses on resolving concerns involving specific schools or student experiences Examples of issues OCR may address:
    • A student denied services or accommodations due to a disability
    • Unequal treatment in discipline or access to programs
    • Harassment based on race, sex, or national origin
    • Concerns about how a school handled a specific incident

File a complaint with OCR

  • Report a civil rights concern to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which enforces civil rights laws and may investigate broader or systemic issues. Examples of issues DOJ may address:
    • Patterns of discrimination affecting groups of students across a district
    • Policies or practices that deny equal access to educational opportunities
    • Segregation or civil rights violations requiring legal enforcement
    • Serious or widespread violations that may require court action

Report a civil rights violation to DOJ

Under a strengthened partnership between the two agencies, the Department of Justice may support investigations and enforcement of discrimination cases in education.

Federal civil rights laws prohibit discrimination based on:

  • Race, color, or national origin
  • Sex
  • Disability
  • Age
  • Religion (in certain circumstances)

These protections apply to public schools, school districts, state education agencies, colleges and universities, and other institutions that receive federal education funding.
 

Education Outside Public K–12 Schools

Other agencies handle concerns related to:

Employment and Wage Disputes

The following agencies handle employment‑related concerns involving public schools:

Ethics and Open Government

Texas open government laws include:

The Office of the Attorney General provides resources, training, and assistance related to these laws.

Fraud, Waste, or Abuse of State Funds

The State Auditor’s Office (SAO) investigates allegations involving:

  • Fraud
  • Waste
  • Abuse of state funds

This includes misuse of funds by:

  • State agencies
  • School districts
  • Colleges and universities

How to report:

  • Call 1‑800‑TX‑AUDIT (892‑8348)
  • Submit a report online
  • Mail a report to:
    • State Auditor’s Office
      Attn: Investigations and Audit Support
      P.O. Box 12067
      Austin, TX 78711‑2067

Health and Safety Concerns

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) handles reports related to:

  • Hazardous conditions in school facilities
  • Health and safety standards

Interscholastic Athletics and Activities

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) governs competitive sports and academic extracurricular programs.

The UIL–TEA Side‑by‑Side Handbook explains:

  • UIL rules and requirements
  • The dispute resolution process

School Board Elections

The Texas Secretary of State’s Office oversees school board member elections.

Student Records and Privacy

Concerns about student records and privacy are handled by the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO).

SPPO addresses complaints involving:

  • Improper release of student information
  • Denial of access to student records
  • Improper collection or use of student data

These rights are protected under federal law and Texas Education Code, Chapter 26.

How to file a complaint:

Complaints may be filed directly with SPPO. Filing deadlines apply, and required documentation must be submitted on time. Complaint forms are available in English and Spanish.