A citizen complaint is a written statement that alleges a violation of a federal rule, law or regulation or state regulation that applies to a federal program. Things to check before you file a citizen complaint:

1. This citizen complaint process is for Washington state's K-12 school system.
   • If you live outside of Washington state, check with your state's department of education or Local Educational Agency (LEA) and ask for their complaint process.
2. The complaint must address the violation of at least one of the federal programs in the list below.
3. This process is not for complaints related to discrimination and professional practices.
4. Complaints that allege discrimination please go to Equity and Civil Rights. 

The following federal programs are part of the citizen complaint process:

Title Programs

• Title I, A Programs and services for students from low income communities
• Title I, C Migrant Education
• Title I, D Institutional Education
• Title I, G Advanced Placement
• Title II, A Teacher & Principal Quality
• Title III Support for Multilingual and American Indian/Alaska Native students
• Title IV, B 21st Century Community Learning Centers
• Title V Rural Education Achievement Program
• Title VI Indian, Native Hawaiian, Alaska Native Education

File a Citizen Complaint Against a School District, Educational Service District (ESD) or Other School Service Provider (Subgrantee) please visit the OSPI website: https://www.k12.wa.us/policy-funding/grants-grant-management/closing-educational-achievement-gaps-title-i-part/citizen-complaints-federal-programs