You are accessing a U.S. Federal Government computer system intended to be solely accessed by individual users expressly authorized to access the system by the U.S. Department of Education. Usage may be monitored, recorded, and/or subject to audit. For security purposes and in order to ensure that the system remains available to all expressly authorized users, the U.S. Department of Education monitors the system to identify unauthorized users. Anyone using this system expressly consents to such monitoring and recording. Unauthorized use of this information system is prohibited and subject to criminal and civil penalties. Except as expressly authorized by the U.S. Department of Education, unauthorized attempts to access, obtain, upload, modify, change, and/or delete information on this system are strictly prohibited and are subject to criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C § 1030, and other applicable statutes, which may result in fines and imprisonment. For purposes of this system, unauthorized access includes, but is not limited to:
Any access by an employee or agent of a commercial entity, or other third party, who is not the individual user, for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain (regardless of whether the commercial entity or third party is providing a service to an authorized user of the system); and Any access in furtherance of any criminal or tortious act in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States or any State.
If system monitoring reveals information indicating possible criminal activity, such evidence may be provided to law enforcement personnel.
This section of the OCR website is designed to help you determine if the Office for Civil Rights may be able to assist you by investigating a complaint of discrimination against a school, school district, college, university, library, or other educational entity that is covered by a law OCR enforces. If an OCR complaint does not appear to be the appropriate route, the website will suggest links to other resources that may better assist you in addressing your concerns.
The assessment is currently only available in English. For information about how to file a complaint in a language other than English, please see the dropdown menu below. You may also, free of charge, request language assistance services for Department information by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or email us at Ed.Language.Assistance@ed.gov. To request documents in alternate formats such as Braille or large print, contact the Department at 202-260-0852 or om_eeos@ed.gov.
See Resources Available in Other Languages :
To see resources in a language other than English, select your language. You will be redirected to complaint forms and instructions on how to file a complaint in other languages. You may also call 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) for live interpretation support in your language.
Resources on Filing a Complaint
Resources Available in Other Languages
OCR affords an opportunity to complainants to appeal certain determinations and dismissals if the complaint was filed with OCR prior to July 18, 2022:
Investigatory determinations of insufficient evidence to support a violation;
Dismissal of allegations pursuant to Sections 108(a), (b), (c), (d), (h), and (i) of OCR's Case Processing Manual
These are typically identified in the letter OCR sends to you at the conclusion of the case.
You have a right to appeal OCR’s determination within 60 calendar days of the date indicated on the letter unless OCR grants you a waiver. An appeal can be filed electronically, by mail, or fax. The completed appeal form or written statement may not exceed 10 pages (double-spaced).
Appeal forms or written statements may be submitted electronically, by U.S. mail, or by fax:
If submitted by e-mail, send to OCR@ed.gov
If submitted by U.S. mail, send to
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20202
If submitted by fax, send to 202-245-8392.
In the appeal, you must explain why you believe the factual information was incomplete, inaccurate, the legal analysis was incorrect or the appropriate legal standard was not applied, and how correction of any errors would change the outcome of the case; failure to do so may result in
dismissal of the appeal. OCR will issue a written decision on the appeal.
Please read the Information About OCR's Complaint Processing Procedures, Office for Civil Rights Notice About Investigatory Uses of Personal Information, and OCR Complaint Consent Form. All these documents are downloadable. Before we can complete initial processing of your complaint, we will need your signed consent authorizing us to proceed. Please sign and date A or B on the consent form and mail it to the OCR Enforcement Office responsible for your complaint.
U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights home page