Delaware Public Education Ombudsperson Program (DPEOP)
The Delaware Public Education Ombudsperson Program (DPEOP) assists students and families who have been unable to resolve non-legal disputes with districts, charters and the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). DPEOP services may include:
- Acting as a conduit between families and students, districts/charters, and DDOE as requested, with an emphasis on working directly with individual students.
- Assisting families and students in navigating programs, services, policies, and procedures.
- Acting as an advocate for families and students in school-based meetings, which may include IEP and 504 plan reviews, behavioral concerns, and disciplinary matters, including but not limited to, suspensions, expulsions and school related arrests.
- Facilitating the resolution of parent and student concerns regarding discriminatory acts, policies, and practices, ensuring due process.
- Participating in securing representation for families and students in school-based litigation, when appropriate and when other measures have not secured a positive outcome for the child.
- Helping parents and guardians understand their rights.
- Providing ongoing support and mentorship to students after the resolution of disputes or complaints to ensure that resolutions adequately address students’ needs.
The Delaware Public Education Ombudsperson Program will also collaborate on and share with DDOE and the districts and charters the development of research based best practices to ensure equity, including discipline, academic, social emotional learning, and extra-time supports and evaluating program satisfaction by parents, guardians, and students who are recipients of the program’s services.
Please note, the DPEOP should be used after students and families have worked with their district or charter and the DDOE to resolve an education dispute and no resolution was met.
Educator Misconduct
The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) recognizes that the safety and well-being of all students is essential for providing a positive learning environment. As such, DDOE is charged with conducting licensure investigations as they relate to educator misconduct. These confidential investigations are conducted on behalf of the Secretary of Education as authorized by state statute, 14 Del. C. 1218.
Report Suspected Misconduct
To contact DDOE regarding suspected educator misconduct, email one of our investigators or call.
Email investigator Charles Simpson.
Email investigator Randy Fisher.
Call: 302-735-4009
Title IX complaints
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) explains that anyone can file a Title IX complaint with the OCR. This includes students, school employees, or a person or organization who is filing on behalf of a victim of sex discrimination. To file a complaint through a school, you will need to connect to the school, district or charter’s Title IX designated coordinator (found on corresponding report card sites).
DDOE does not handle complaints for school districts, but rather connects complainants to the Title IX Coordinator the appropriate school or school district and provides contact information for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). If you are unable to get an appropriate response from your school’s Title IX authority or you do not wish to file your complaint with school officials for whatever reason, you may also file a complaint directly with the OCR. The complaint may be filed online, or by mail, email, or fax. You can use the form provided by the OCR or write your own letter describing the alleged discrimination.
For additional information, please see the Title IX site.
ESSA Equitable Services Disputes
If you require additional information regarding Equitable Services, please visit ESSA and/or contact the ESSA Equitable Services Ombudsman via email.
