Question

Can I complain about services to my child?

Answer

You have several options to lodge a complaint.

If you feel a school district is violating your child's special education rights, you have two options. You can seek informal resolution or file a formal complaint. Informal resolution is often quicker and less adversarial. In either instance, it is recommended that you first contact the administrator having responsibility for special education in your district.

A formal complaint is a specific written and signed allegation (by an individual or an organization) that includes the facts on which the allegation is based, that there is an uncorrected violation, misinterpretation, or misapplication:

• of special education laws, 
• administrative rule,
• the Intermediate School District's plan,

• the State Board of Education's plan

• or if a child's individual education plan (IEP), 

• a hearing officer's decision,

• or a court decision....

...is not being implemented as written.

If you want to file a formal complaint, you should contact the Macomb Intermediate School District Assistant Superintendent for Special Education Services. The MISD will explain your right to file a formal written complaint and provide you with a copy of the rules dealing with complaints. They will also assist you in writing your complaint properly, if you want this help.

If you file a formal complaint the Intermediate School District must investigate your complaint within 21 calendar days of receipt of the complaint and give you a copy of the findings in writing. If you are not satisfied with any of the MISD's findings of "no violation" you may appeal such a decision to the Michigan Department of Education.

Other rights afforded you in the complaint process are:

• A member of the special education staff who is appointed by the superintendent will investigate the complaint. 
                
• If after you have submitted a complaint against an Intermediate School District in written, signed, and dated form according to prescribed time lines, and the Intermediate School District does not take action to investigate the complaint, you may request that the Michigan Department of Education do an investigation.

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