Equal Educational Opportunity

Complaints that allege that a public school discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, a school district’s programs or activities are under the jurisdiction and authority of the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR and TEA enforce several federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal funds. In addition, TEA implements a review process for school discrimination complaints and informs individuals of the appropriate complaint resolution options. For more information on the TEA complaint process and what to include in a state-level complaint, visit TEA Complaints Management.

Statutory Notices

Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 7844(a)(3)(c) (Sec. 8304(a)(3)(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)), the Texas Education Agency (TEA), implements written procedures that offer parents, public agencies, other individuals or organizations a method for receipt and resolution of complaints alleging violations in the administration of educational programs and services.

Pursuant to 20 U.S.C. § 7846(a)(3) (Sec. 8306(a)(3) of the ESEA), a local educational agency (such as a public school district or open-enrollment charter school) accepting federal funds also agrees to adopt and file with TEA local written procedures to properly administer educational programs and services, including a method for receipt and resolution of complaints alleging violations of law in the administration of such educational programs and services.

U.S. Department of Education – Office of Civil Rights

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights is the agency authorized to enforce several Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive Federal funds from the Department of Education. OCR enforcement offices are responsible for investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination, conducting compliance reviews, monitoring corrective action agreements, and providing technical assistance.

These laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin, sex, disability, and on the basis of age. These laws extend to all state education agencies, elementary and secondary school systems, colleges and universities, vocational schools, proprietary schools, state vocational rehabilitation agencies, libraries, and museums that receive U.S. Department of Education funds. OCR also has responsibilities under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (prohibiting disability discrimination by public entities, whether or not they receive federal financial assistance). In addition, as of January 8, 2002, OCR enforces the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act (Section 9525 of the ESEA of 1965, as amended by the NCLB of 2001).

If you have reason to believe an organization which receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education is treating you unfairly because of your race, national origin, sex, disability or age, you may file a complaint via facsimile to 214-661-9587, or by writing a letter to:

U.S. Department of Education
Civil Rights Division
Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street, Suite 1000
Dallas, TX 75270
(214) 661-9600

You may also file a complaint electronically by accessing OCR’s online complaint form, which is linked at the bottom of the following page at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html. Additional information may be found on OCR’s Frequently Asked Questions page.

The person or organization filing the complaint need not be a victim of the alleged discrimination but may file a complaint on behalf of another person or group.

Public School Non-Discrimination Policy

The following area has been designated to handle complaints and inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policy in Texas public schools:

Compliance & Inquiries
Phone: (512) 463-9290
FAX: (512) 475-3665
Email generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov

Individuals can also contact the Dallas Regional Office of OCR:

Texas OCR Enforcement Office
Dallas Office
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Renaissance Tower
1201 Elm Street, Suite 1000
Dallas, Texas 75270

Telephone: (214) 661-9600
FAX: (214) 661-9587
TDD (800) 877-8339
Email: OCR.Dallas@ed.gov
US Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights

Resources for Section 504

Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. A frequently asked questions document about Section 504 is available on the U.S. Department of Education website.

TEA Employment and Employees

The Texas Education Agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability. For information about TEA's non-discrimination policy, contact the Division of Human Resources at hr@tea.texas.gov.

For more information about TEA customer service standards, visit the agency's Compact with Texans page.

If you are a TEA employee or job applicant and you believe you have been discriminated against, you can file a formal complaint with the agency.

Human Resources Director
Texas Education Agency
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Telephone: (512) 463-8200
hr@tea.texas.gov