Student Rights and Responsibilities Steps to Resolve Concerns
Most problems can be resolved satisfactorily by discussing the matter with the teacher, counselor, or principal.
If you wish to express concern or disagreement with a decision or action taken by school officials, it is important to first talk with school personnel who are closest to the issue. Parents most often find that problems can be resolved satisfactorily by discussing the matter with the teacher, counselor, or principal.
Any concerns about actions or decisions of a teacher or other school personnel should first be discussed with the school principal.
Procedures for how parents can address concerns when they are not satisfied with the principal’s response vary with the type of concern:
- Discipline: Please refer to Appendix D, on page 47 for information on how to appeal a decision to suspend, and page 54 of regulation 2601.37P for information on how to petition the School Board to alter a decision to reassign a student to an alternative program. See regulation 2611 for additional information.
- Complaints regarding actions of teachers or other school personnel; student records; or decisions regarding right of expression, right to display or distribute literature: These complaints should be directed to the appropriate regional assistant superintendent. Phone numbers can be found on page 4.
- Complaints about procedures, programs, or services for students with disabilities should be directed to the coordinator of the Office of Due Process and Eligibility at 571-423-4470. Concerns about access to facilities and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act can be addressed to Design and Construction Services at 571-423-2280.
- The Office of the Ombuds is available to talk with parents and students as a confidential, informal, independent, and impartial resource. If you need additional help navigating the school system, contact the Office of the Ombudsman at 571-423-4014 or [email protected].
- Title IX and discrimination complaints: Please contact the Title IX coordinator at 571-423-3070.
Separate processes for resolving different types of complaints related to sex and gender: SR&R vs Title IX
| SR&R Process (Regulation 2601.35P) | Title IX Process (Regulation 2118.1) |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Sexual Misconduct or Discriminatory Harassment are investigated by school administrators under SR&R | Allegations of Sexual Harassment are investigated by a centralized Title IX office and decided by the Hearings Office |
| Does not require submission of a formal complaint | Requires a formal complaint submitted to Title IX coordinator (accessible at https://www.fcps.edu/title-ix) |
| Definition and procedures comply with state/local guidelines | Definition and procedures comply with federal guidelines |
| Is a less formal process both investigated and decided by school administrators | Is a more formal process involving an investigation conducted by specialized investigators, an investigative report, a hearing with opportunities for cross examination, a decision by a Hearings Officer, and an opportunity to appeal the outcome |
| If the school determines that an informal complaint meets the definition of Sexual Harassment, it can only be investigated under the Title IX process | If the Title IX office determines that an informal complaint meets the definition of Sexual Harassment, it can only be investigated by the Title IX office. |
Contact:
Title IX coordinator, FCPS
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.fcps.edu/titleix