Helps resolve disputes, complaints and conflict between families and schools through facilitation.   Acts as a confidential, neutral third party not associated with the public school system.   Promotes school-family partnerships and provides information about the education system and referrals to education-related resources.   Helps parents concerned about a child being bullied at school.   Provides workshops and presentations and publishes materials designed to help families understand and navigate the K-12 education system.   Publications can be downloaded from the website or mailed.   Publications are translated into several languages.   The Education Ombudsman does not help with issues regarding:   -  Elected officials (such as school board members)   -  Private schools   -  Private organizations or businesses   -  Preschools, colleges and universities   Does not have the authority to force a school or school district to take a specific course of action and cannot discipline or terminate school or school district employees.   Does not provide legal advice or services.

Special Education Mediation services are offered by OSPI at no charge to parents or school districts.   Mediation is available to help resolve problems involving -  Initial identification of a student -  Evaluations of the student -  Educational placement -  Educational services provided to a student   A mediation session is conducted by a trained, impartial mediator who assists the parties in discussing the issues in order to try and reach an agreement.   Citizen Complaints: Any individual or organization may file a citizen complaint if they believe rights have been violated regarding federal or state laws or regulations implementing IDEA by -  A school district   -  Another public agency serving special education students   -  A private agency under contract with a public agency to serve special education students   -  An educational service district The state OSPI investigates the complaints and issues a decision addressing the allegations.