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Formal Concern Form & Process

Resolving school concerns and disagreements

Jump to: Level 1: Informal Process with School | Level 2: School Meeting and Documentation | Level 3: Central Office | FAQ | Ombudsman

When concerns arise, parents and guardians are encouraged to direct their concerns to the persons most closely involved. However, when an informal process fails to provide resolution, a parent may file a formal complaint and seek review at a higher administrative level. In both processes, the intent is to protect the confidentiality and preserve the dignity of everyone involved. Concerns may be submitted by parents, guardians, custodial parents, or students. For the purposes of this process explanation, all complainants will be referred to as “parent”.

Español

Cuando surgen preocupaciones, se alienta a padres y a tutores a dirigir sus inquietudes a las personas involucradas más de cerca. Sin embargo, cuando un proceso informal no proporciona una resolución, un padre puede presentar una queja formal y procurar un análisis a un nivel administrativo superior. En ambos procesos, la intención es proteger la confidencialidad y preservar la dignidad de todos los involucrados. Las preocupaciones pueden presentarse por los padres, tutores, padres con custodia o estudiantes. Con el propósito de explicar este proceso, se referirá a todos los demandantes como “padre.”

Para información y apoyo adicionales, por favor, llame al 410-313-1591.

中文

当家长和监护人对学校事务产生关切时，我们鼓励家长和监护人向最直接相关的人员表达他们的关切。然而，如果非正式的过程无法解决问题，家长可以提出正式抱怨，寻求更高一层行政主管的审理。这二种过程都是旨在保密和维护每个相关人士的尊严。家长、监护人、有监护权的家长，或学生都可以向学校提出关切。为了解释这个过程的缘故，所有投诉人都将称为”家长”。

欲知详情或想获得更多支持，请电 410-313-5920。

한국어

우려 사항이 생길 경우, 부모 및 가디언은 그것과 가장 밀접하게 관여된 자에게 직접 알릴 것이 권장된다. 그러나, 이같은 비공식적 절차가 해결책을 내지 못할 경우, 부모는 공식적으로 불평 사항을 접수하여, 고위 행정 책임자 차원의 검토를 청할 수 있다. 두 경우 다, 기밀을 유지하고 관련된 모두의 존엄성을 보호하도록 의도되어야 한다. 우려 사항은 부모, 가디언, 양육권을 가진 부모, 혹은 학생이 제출할 수 있다. 이 절차의 설명을 위해, 모든 신고자를 “부모”로 지칭할 것이다.

보다 자세한 문의와 지원을 원하시면, 410-313-1592 로 연락 주시기 바랍니다.

Chin

Abiapi mi thil zei maw pakhat khat a chuah tik le a can tik ah, nu le pa hna le zohkhenhtu hna nih, thil a cangmi le a chuak mi kong kha mah he a naihniam mi hna sin ah chim le rel ding in forhfial le tha pek a si. Sihmansehlaw, phungphai um theng lo in tuahmi tlolh le tlamtlin lo tikah, nu le pa a simi nih phungning zulhin lungtlin lo nak kha, a sangdeuhmi zohkhenhnak lei tuanvo ngeitu hna sinah zohthan nak tuah ding in chim le phuan khawh a si. Apahnih thil tuah cuahmah mi nih hin, aa tinhmi cu, aa telmi minung hna I an biathli a simi a huhphenh lai I, hmaizahnak a chuah ter lai. Abiapimi thil zeimaw pakhat khat a chuak le a cang mi cu, nu le pa hna, zohkhenhtu hna, nu le pa hmun ah a dirpiak tuhna, asiloah sianghngakchia hna nih chuahpi le chanh/pek a si lai. Hi thil tuahcuahmah mi aa tinhmi a fianter duhmi cu, lungtlin lo nak kong phuang le chimtu hna kha “nu le pa” bantuk ah zoh le sawh a si lai.

Thawngthanhnak tamdeuh le bomhnak hmuh khawh nak caah, zangfahnak in 410-313-5968 chon te.


Download a printable checklist to help guide you through this process


Find contact information necessary for filing a formal complaint.

Start the Process

Level 1: Informal Process – School Level

  1. The first step is to address the concern or issue with the school staff member who is most directly involved to reach a mutually agreed-upon resolution.
  2. If the initial attempt to resolve the issue is not satisfactory, the next step is to contact the principal or assistant principal. If the concern directly involves the principal, the parent may contact the Director of Schools assigned to their school.
    1. The school administrator will confirm that the parent has attempted to resolve the issue or concern with the classroom teacher or other school-based staff member, when appropriate. The principal or assistant principal will provide an initial/preliminary response to the parent within two (2) school days, and provide a response/decision or an explanation for additional time needed to investigate within a maximum of ten (10) school days.
    2. If the concern requires the involvement of other Central Office departments, the principal will assist the parent in accessing the appropriate office and provide a synopsis of the concern to that office. Central Office personnel will respond to the parent as soon as possible but within a maximum of ten (10) school days and inform the principal of the response.

Level 2: Formal Process – School Level Meeting and Documentation

First page of the Formal Concern Form PDF
Download Formal Parent Concern Form (PDF) →

  1. Parents who are not satisfied with a resolution proposed by an assistant principal during the Level 1 Informal Process may address the complaint through the Level 2 Formal Process:
    1. Complete Part I of the Formal Concern Form, accessible at https://www.hcpss.org/f/files/formal-concern-form.pdf, outlining specific concerns, and submit it to the principal. The principal’s office will schedule a meeting with the parent within 3 days.
    2. The principal will complete Part II of the Formal Concern Form to document areas of agreement and identify steps to address any unresolved issues, and will send the response to the parent within 10 school days.
    3. If a concern cannot be resolved reasonably within 10 days, the principal may extend the time for up to 10 additional days, and will notify the parent in writing.
    4. If the parent’s request from the formal concern form is denied, the principal must also forward a copy of the formal concern form to the Director of Schools.
  2. If the parent already met with the principal during Level 1 Informal Process, then Part 1 of the Formal Concern Form can be signed and submitted to the Director of Schools along with documentation of the principal’s decision or denial of the request. Parents are advised to keep a copy of the form for their records.
    1. The Director of Schools/designee will contact the parent within 3 school days to schedule a meeting..
  3. If the parent chooses not to meet with the principal prior to completing the Level 2 Formal Process concern form, the parent should provide an explanation to the Director of Schools
    1. The Director of Schools/designee will gather information from the principal, which may delay a timely resolution.

Level 3: Formal Process – Central Office Review

  1. If the issue is not resolved to the parent’s satisfaction, or if it directly involves the principal, the parent may contact the appropriate Director of Schools to review the concern.
    1. The Director of Schools/designee will obtain all applicable documentation from the principal. Parents may also submit applicable documentation.
    2. After reviewing the documentation, the Director of Schools/designee will confer with the parent, principal, and other appropriate individuals, and will document any decisions or agreements and respond in writing to the parent within 10 school days.
  2. If the parent is not satisfied with the decision of the Director of Schools/designee, the parent may request in writing that the matter be reviewed by the Executive Director of Schools. The Executive Director will review the documentation and provide a written response within 15 school days.
    1. The Executive Directors of Schools serve as the Superintendent’s designee for the formal concern process, and are the last step in the formal concern process. In some matters, Board policy may include a right of appeal to the Board.
For more information regarding the formal concern process, visit: www.hcpss.org/formal-concern/. Additional information on accommodations, appeals, and requests under the Maryland Public Information Act can be found online at www.hcpss.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand the questions below toggling the arrow or question header.

What is a concern?

A concern is a matter of interest or importance that a parent feels is not being addressed satisfactorily. Concerns may fall into various categories, including but not limited to the following examples:

  • HCPSS Employee: An employee fails to respond to a parent’s communication in a timely manner.
  • Course Placement: A teacher denies a parent request for a course/class change for a student.
  • Policy Violation: An HCPSS employee fails to abide by a school system policy.
  • Homework: A parent is concerned about the amount of homework assigned to their child.
  • Grades: A parent disagrees with a teacher about a grade that was assigned.

How are concerns reported? Where do I begin?

There are two ways to report a concern: 1) Using the informal process, which does not require filling in a Formal Concern Form; and, 2) Using the formal process, and completing Part I of the Formal Concern Form. Both processes are listed above.

What is the difference between an informal process and a formal process?

The formal process involves documenting the concerns utilizing the Formal Concern Form.

What is the benefit of documenting your concern via the Formal Concern Form?

Once you document your concern via the Formal Concern Form, you are essentially filing a formal complaint. The formal complaint documents and initiates a defined process for resolving the concern, as described in the sections above.

Is it beneficial to contact the Board of Education or Superintendent directly?

Unfortunately, not following the formal concern process identified may delay the review and resolution of your concern. It is important to direct the concern to the person who is most directly involved with the situation. This helps to arrive at a timelier resolution.

What should I do if I haven’t received a response to my Formal Concern in a timely manner?

If the situation requires a follow up, remind the principal that your outstanding formal concern has not yet been addressed. If the follow up meeting does not occur, or if the response from the principal is not satisfactory, escalate your concern to the next level.

What is the expected timeframe for hearing a response from a formal concern that was reported?

The start of an investigation regarding a formal concern begins with a signed form with Part I completed. The timeline for a formal concern begins on the date when the form is received by the school or office to which it has been directed. The formal process has the following time requirements:

  • The principal’s office has 3 school days to set up a mutually agreed upon date and time to meet.
  • After meeting, the HCPSS principal is to fill in Part II and respond to the parent within 10 school days following the meeting. However, if the principal determines they will not be able to resolve the complaint in the initial 10 school days following the meeting, they will inform the parent that an additional 10 school days will be required.
  • If the process is escalated to the Director of Schools, the Director of Schools/designee must respond within 10 school days from the receipt of the request with the applicable documentation.
  • If the response by the Director of Schools/designee is not satisfactory, the complainant can contact the Executive Director of Schools, who serves as the Superintendent’s Designee. The complainant must submit a written request and the Executive Director of Schools is to respond within 15 school days from receipt of the request.

What if I am not comfortable meeting with the principal?

If the concern directly involves the principal, the parent can contact the Director of Schoolsto initiate the informal Level 1 or formal Level 2 process.

What process should I follow if my concern is with the school principal?

If the concern is regarding the school principal, you are encouraged to address concern directly with the principal in the informal process. If you are not willing to discuss your concern with the principal, the parent may submit the Formal Concern Form directly to the Director of Schools assigned to the school.

If I have already met with the principal in the informal process, do we have to meet again as part of Level 2?

No. If the parent has already met with the principal during the informal process (Level 1), the parent can include documentation of the principal’s response or denial of their request along with Part 1 of the Formal Concern Form. After completing Part 1, the form should be signed and sent to the Director of Schools.

What should I do if I requested my concern to be reviewed by the Chief School Management and Instructional Leadership Officer and am still not satisfied? Should I escalate the concern to the Superintendent?

The Executive Director of Schools serves as the Superintendent’s designee for the formal concern process. The Superintendent’s designee operates under the authority of the Superintendent, and is the last step in the formal concern process. In some matters, Board policy may include a right of appeal to the Board.

What do I do if I need assistance with navigating the process for Resolving School Concerns and Disagreement or want to speak to someone confidentially about my concern?

Please contact the Ombudsman for clarification or assistance. For more information, visit the Ombudsman site.

Ombudsman

The Ombudsman serves as a neutral party to collaborate with Howard County Department of Education staff and the community. The Ombudsman may advocate for a fair process and fair administration only.

Services of the Ombudsman include:

  • Confidential discussion of your concern to the extent possible.
  • Review of applicable Board of Education policies and procedures.
  • Referral to individuals who can help solve the problem.
  • Referral to appropriate school system and community resources.

The Ombudsman is required to follow Board of Education policies and procedures, and treat all parties fairly (See Policy 2030: Ombudsman). The Ombudsman does not have the authority to change policy or force schools to take specific action. Communications made to the Ombudsman are not official notice to the school system for any legal purpose. The Ombudsman neither acts as agent for, nor accepts notice on behalf of, the school system and does not serve in a role that is designated as a place to receive notice on behalf of the system. However, the Ombudsman may refer individuals to the appropriate place where formal notice can be made by the individual. Meetings with the Ombudsman are available by making an appointment through any of the following methods:

  • At the Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City
  • By email at ombudsman@hcpss.org
  • By telephone at 410–313–6850

Individuals who are not fluent in English may request an interpreter by contacting Interpreter Services at 410–313–7046.