Request Our Services
Who should contact OEO
When to call OEO
What You Can Expect from OEO
Confidentiality
What to Expect When Working with an Education Ombudsman
Steps to Take Before Speaking with an Ombudsman
How to Contact Us
What Happens After You Contact Us
Who should contact OEO
- Parents or legal guardians of students enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in elementary or secondary public schools who are experiencing conflict or disputes with schools and want help to resolve their concerns. Children who are home schooled are included in this criteria.
- Students currently enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in elementary or secondary public schools who are experiencing conflict or disputes with schools and want help to resolve their concerns. Please note that we are unable to contact the school and work to resolve the problem without direct permission from the parent/legal guardian of the student, unless the student is at least 18 years of age.
- Educators, community professionals, family members, and anyone who needs to consult with an Ombudsman about a school problem affecting a student.
- Educators, community professionals, family members, and anyone who needs information about public education.
When to call OEO
In many cases, problems with public schools can be solved by consulting with the school staff and following the school’s established grievance processes. If you have made reasonable efforts to resolve the problem by talking to school officials and the problem remains unresolved, or if the process is unclear or non-existent, you should call OEO for assistance.
View OEO brochure Resolving Conflict with Schools
What You Can Expect from OEO
Our goal is to provide exceptional customer service, individualized attention, and in-depth assistance to our customers. We will respond to you in a timely manner and treat you courteously and with respect. We will take prompt, direct action to address your problem and we will keep you informed of our progress and our efforts to achieve results.
Confidentiality
OEO treats all communications with those seeking assistance as private and confidential.
OEO does not disclose customer information without express permission. The only exception to this is if OEO learns of information suggesting imminent risk of serious harm to an individual or someone being subject to abuse or neglect. OEO may be required to report this information to relevant authorities.
To protect customer privacy and remain confidential, OEO cannot do business via e-mail.
What to Expect When Working with an Education Ombudsman
Ombudsmen are neutral and confidential. They are an expert resource for resolving complaints and disputes that affect public school students and provide wide-ranging information about the education system.
What they can help with:
- independent assessments of the situation
- research education laws and policies and inform all parties
- review student records
- contact school officials
- recommend options
- monitor efforts to address problems until results are reached.
Only when all parties agree, Ombudsmen share information between parties, facilitate meetings, mediate or participate in discussions and negotiations as a neutral third party.
Sometimes problems can’t be resolved exactly the way you expect. However, the Ombudsman will do everything possible to help improve the situation for the student and continue to provide assistance until an acceptable resolution is reached.
What Ombudsmen Cannot Do:
- provide legal advice or legal services
- force school or school districts to take a specific action
- terminate school personnel
- remove elected officials from public office
Ombudsmen advocate for fair and equitable processes that support student’s educational rights, well-being and academic success.
Steps to Take Before Speaking with an Ombudsman
1. Take time to think and write about the problem you are experiencing before you call our office. Summarize your concerns and any actions that you have already taken. This preparation will make the most out of your conversation with an ombudsman:
Try to summarize the main parts of your concern in writing.
Make a timeline of what you’ve already done to resolve the issue and who you’ve consulted with. Include names and titles of individuals. If possible, include dates and contacts that were made.
Have any supporting documentation or materials handy.
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Take notes during your conversation with the ombudsman.
Identify what obstacles remain in the way of achieving your goal.
Consider what your expectations are for the ombudsman.
2. Have your notes ready for your first phone call with the Ombudsman. He or she will listen to you, and ask you some general questions, which will include:
What is the situation?
What are the main issues and concerns?
How does it affect the student?
What have you already done?
What can help improve the situation or solve the problem?
What are you willing to do to help?
How to Contact Us
All services provided by the OEO are free of cost. To request our services, do one of the following:
Call us toll free at 866-297-2597 to set up a confidential appointment with an ombudsman. Our staff can access phone interpretation for more than 150 languages.
Or download a Request for Ombudsman Services form in English or Español and mail it or fax it to us. Instructions are on the form.
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Download, complete and submit a Permission to Contact the School in English or Español to allow the ombudsman to discuss your and your student’s situation directly with school and district staff.
Download, complete and submit a Permission to Release Student Records in English or Español to allow your school to share information contained in your student’s records directly with the ombudsman.
Completed forms can be submitted to OEO by Fax at: 206-729-3251 or by mail to:
Office of the Education Ombudsman
155 N.E. 100th St. #210
Seattle, WA 98125-8012
What Happens After You Contact OEO
After we receive your phone call or “Request for Services” form, we will set up a date and time for you to speak with an ombudsman over the telephone to discuss your situation.
OEO does not provide legal advice or legal services, and cannot help with cases involving elected officials (such as school board members) or allegations of educator professional misconduct. OEO will provide referrals to appropriate resources for problems involving these issues, as well as concerns about private schools, preschools, child care centers, private organizations, businesses, colleges or universities.