R2415.20  EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires the Board of Education to adopt a policy and written procedures that offer parent(s), public agencies, other individuals, or organizations a method for receipt and resolution of complaints alleging violations in the administration of the ESSA programs.
 A.    	Complaint Procedure Alleging a Violation by a School, School District, or 		Other Agency Authorized by the School District or the New Jersey 			Department of Education (NJDOE)
 	1.     	A complaint is an allegation submitted in writing (mail or 					email) by an individual or organization that a school, school district, or 			other agency authorized by the school district has violated the law in the 			administration of education programs required by the ESSA.
	2.     	A complaint must identify at a minimum the following:
 	a.                The alleged ESSA violation;
	b.                A description of previous steps taken to resolve the matter;
 	c.   	The facts supporting the alleged violation as understood by the 			complainant at the time of submission; and
 	d.   	Any supporting documentation (e.g., letters, emails, logs, agenda, 			meeting minutes). 
	3.   	A complaint must be submitted to the Executive County Superintendent 			for the 	county where the school, school district, or other authorized 			agency is located .
	4.   	When a written complaint is received by the Executive County 				Superintendent, the Executive County Superintendent will issue a Letter of 		Acknowledgement to the complainant within ten calendar days of receipt 			of the complaint.  This letter will contain the following information:
 	a.     	The date the complaint was received;
 	b.     	A brief statement of the manner in which the Executive 			County Superintendent will investigate the complaint;
 	c.            	If necessary, a request for additional information regarding 			the complaint;
d.               A resolution date within forty-five calendar days from 		the date the written complaint was received by the 			Executive County Superintendent; and
 	e.   	The name and telephone number of a contact person 			for status updates.
 	5.   	The Executive County Superintendent will coordinate the investigation of 			a complaint. 
	6.   	When the investigation is complete, the Executive County Superintendent 			will notify the complainant in writing regarding the 	outcome of the 			investigation.
 
a.   	If the Executive County Superintendent determines a 		violation has occurred, the Executive County 			Superintendent will identify and impose the 				appropriate consequences or corrective actions as required 		in accordance with statute and/or regulation to resolve the 		complaint.
 
b. 	If the complainant is not satisfied with the determination 		that is made by the Executive County Superintendent, the 		complainant 	may submit  a written request for review of 		that determination to the Assistant Commissioner, Division 		of Learning Supports and Specialized Services via email 		at essa@doe.nj.gov with subject line “ESEA Complaint 		Decision Review” or via hard copy at the following 			address:
 
	New Jersey Department of Education
	Assistant Commissioner
	Division of Learning Supports and Specialized Services
	P.O. Box 500
	Trenton, New Jersey  08625-0500
  
B.    	Complaint Procedure Alleging a Violation by the New Jersey Department 			of Education (NJDOE)
 	1.     	A complaint is a written allegation the NJDOE has violated the law in 			the administration of education programs required by the ESSA.
 	2.     	A complaint must identify at a minimum the following:
 		a.     	The alleged ESSA violation;
		b.     	A description of previous steps taken to resolve the matter;
 	c.   	The facts supporting the alleged violation as understood by the 			complainant at the time of submission; and
 	d.   	Any supporting documentation (e.g., letters, emails, logs, agenda, 			meeting minutes).
 	3.     	To initiate a complaint alleging the NJDOE has violated the 				administration of an ESEA program, a complainant must submit a 				written complaint to the New Jersey Department of Education – 				Assistant Commissioner, Division of Learning Supports and 				Specialized Services via email at essa@doe.nj.gov with subject line 			“ESEA Complaint or via hard copy sent to the following address: 			
		 	New Jersey Department of Education								Assistant Commissioner									Division of Learning Supports and Specialized Services
	P.O. Box 500
	Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0500
	
4.     	When a written complaint is received by the NJDOE, an Assistant 		Commissioner will assign the investigation of this complaint to the appropriate office.  The NJDOE will issue a Letter of Acknowledgement to the complainant within ten 	calendar days of receipt of the complaint.  This letter shall contain the following information:
 	a.     	The date the complaint was received;
 	b.     	A brief statement of the manner in which the NJDOE will 				investigate the complaint;
	c.     	If necessary, request for additional information regarding the 			complaint;
 
	d.     	A resolution date within forty-five calendar days from the date 			the complaint was received; and
 
	e.   	The name and telephone number of a contact person for status 			updates.
	 5.     	The NJDOE Office assigned by the Assistant Commissioner to 				investigate a complaint concerning an alleged violation by the NJDOE 			will coordinate the investigation of the complaint.  When the investigation 			is complete, the Assistant Commissioner will notify the complainant in 			writing regarding the outcome of the 	investigation.
 	a.   	If the NJDOE Office assigned by the Assistant 				Commissioner of Education determines a violation by the 			NJDOE has occurred after conducting an investigation, the 			Assistant Commissioner will 	identify and impose 				appropriate consequences or corrective action in 				accordance with the statute and/or regulation	to resolve the 			complaint.
 		b.   	If the complainant is not satisfied with the NJDOE’s 				decision, the complainant may request a review of the 				NJDOE’s decision to the Secretary of the United States 				Department of Education (USDOE).  The complainant 				may send the request, reasons supporting the request, 				and a copy of NJDOE’s resolution to the following 					address: 
         	Secretary, United States Department of Education
        	400 Maryland Avenue, SW
        	Washington, DC  20202-4611

New Jersey Department of Education – Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in New Jersey ESEA Complaint Policy and Procedures

Adopted:  September 17, 2007
Revised:  March 16, 2021