A formal written complaint is a written statement alleging that a school district has violated a requirement of state or federal special education law. It is filed with the Division of Exceptional Children Services (DECS).
A written complaint must be:
Written Contain a signature Filed with DECS within one year of the alleged violation
It may be filed by a parent of a student with a disability or by any organization or person who believes IDEA has been violated.
A formal written complaint does not address the following issues: violations of civil rights related to a disability; Section 504 issues; claims of child abuse or neglect; or matters under the sole authority of the local school district, such as employment of a teacher, assignments of teachers, or pupil assignments). Although the above issues may involve violations of the law, a formal written complaint addresses only procedural violations of IDEA.
Download the KDE, Division of Exceptional Children Services Formal Written Complaint Form
Complaint Form 2008.pdf
For additional information regarding Formal Written Complaints, please contact Linda Atwood or Corlia Logsdon at 502-564-4970.