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Every school district is required to have a formal local grievance process for resolving concerns. Some issues must go through this process before they can be reviewed elsewhere.

What to expect

• Act promptly: You must file within 60 days of learning about the issue.
• Informal resolution: If you attempt to resolve the issue informally, you may have up to 90 days to file.
• Hearing timeline: The school or district must hold a grievance hearing within 10 days of submission.
• Notice: You will receive at least 5 business days’ notice before the hearing.
• Decision: You will receive a written decision within 20 days after the hearing.

Tips for filing

• Write down key details (dates, names, what happened)
• Keep copies of emails, messages, and notes

Where to find grievance information

• On the district’s website (look for “policies” or similar)
• In the student handbook
• Under these policy codes:
  • FNG (LOCAL): student and parent grievances
  • DGBA (LOCAL): employee grievances
  • GF (LOCAL): grievances by others

Appeal a district decision to the commissioner of education

You may submit a general education complaint by completing the General Education Complaint Form. 

Online (preferred): 

Complete and submit the online complaint form. 

By mail: 

Send a completed paper complaint form to: 

Texas Education Agency – Complaints Management 
1701 N. Congress Ave. 
Austin, TX 78701‑1494 

Not sure whether filing a complaint is the right next step? Use the  for guidance before submitting. 

Complaints may be sent by email, but email is not secure. Please avoid sending confidential or sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers. 

Complaints or correspondence received by email will receive an automated response within 24 hours with general information about the complaints process and local grievance options. This message may appear in your inbox or spam folder. 

TEA removes confidential or sensitive information when responding by email and maintains confidentiality as allowed by law. 

No, TEA does not accept complaints by phone. Complaints must be submitted in writing. 

To allow TEA to review your complaint, please include: 

• Your full name and contact information 
  (If the student is under 18, include a parent or guardian’s contact information) 
• Name of the school district 
• A detailed description of the actions or decisions you believe violate school law 
• Any documentation that supports your concern 
• Names of school staff who were notified and any responses received 
• Whether the concern was filed with another agency and the outcome, if applicable 
• The resolution you are requesting 
• Full and accurate names of involved educators 
  (You may use the certification lookup tool to verify educator certification) 

Documentation is not required, but it may help TEA understand your concern. Examples include: 

• Local grievance decisions 
• Emails or written communication with the school 
• Investigation reports or written findings related to the issue 

If you need assistance submitting a written complaint due to a disability, please contact Complaints Management at (512) 463‑3544 for support.

If a concern is submitted to TEA but is better handled by another agency, parents will be directed to the appropriate organization for support. If you are unsure where to start, the  can help identify the right agency and provide contact information. 

Complaints addressed by other agencies

TEA accepts anonymous complaints except for special education and educator investigations. 

Providing contact information is strongly encouraged. This allows TEA to follow up if additional information is needed to review your concern. 

Yes. If you are filing on behalf of a parent or a student age 18 or older, a completed Release Form is required. The  requires written authorization before TEA may share information with a third party.

TEA maintains the confidentiality of student information as required by the . Other information may be subject to release under the . 

When needed, TEA may consult the Office of the Attorney General to determine whether certain information may be excluded from public disclosure under law. 

No. TEA does not respond to correspondence sent as a courtesy copy (cc). These communications are considered transitory and are retained only as required.

For questions about the general education complaint process, contact: 

Texas Education Agency – Complaints Management 
1701 N. Congress Ave. 
Austin, TX 78701‑1494
Phone: (512) 463‑3544 

For general information about TEA or Texas public schools, visit the Parent Support Hub or contact: 

Texas Education Agency – General Inquiry 
Phone: (512) 463‑9290 
Email: generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov 

No. TEA does not have authority to overturn outcomes from a school district’s local grievance process. 

In some situations, you may have the option to appeal a local grievance decision rather than file a complaint. The Parent Complaint Navigator can help you understand possible next steps.