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Welcome to the OCR Complaint Assessment System

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.



Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability to ensure the most accurate assessment.

Begin Assessment (English Only)




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.




OCR Appeals Form

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.

Electronic
 Appeals
Electronic Appeals
   Fillable PDF
  Appeals Form
Fillable PDF Appeals Form