The DC Code: § 38-353 Duties.

a

The Ombudsman shall:

1

Provide outreach to residents and parents, and to further this purpose, have the cooperation of all individuals within the public school system;

2

Encourage communication between residents and the Mayor regarding all levels of public education;

3

Serve as a vehicle for citizens to communicate their complaints and concerns regarding public education through a single office;

4

Respond to complaints and concerns in a timely fashion with accurate and helpful information;

5

Receive complaints and concerns from parents, students, teachers, and other District residents concerning public education, including personnel actions, policies, and procedures;

6

Determine the validity of any complaint quickly and professionally;

7

Examine and address valid complaints and concerns;

8

Generate options for a response, and offer a recommendation among the options;

9

Make a referral to the pertinent school official, when appropriate;

10

Identify systemic concerns raised by citizens, or otherwise received, related to public education;

11

Maintain a database that tracks complaints and concerns received according to various categories, including school level and location;

12

Submit to the Deputy Mayor for Public Education and the Chairman of the Council, on a monthly basis, an analysis of the preceding month, including complaint and resolution data;

13

Recommend policy changes, staff training, and strategies to improve the delivery of public education services;

14

Systemically track complaints and concerns, and periodically analyze the data and report to the Deputy Mayor for Education patterns of complaints and concerns that suggest a need for a policy change, staff training, or the implementation of strategic action to address an issue; and

15

Within 90 days of the end of each school year, submit to the Deputy Mayor for Education a report analyzing the work of the previous year, including an analysis of the types, and number, of:

A

Inquiries;

B

Complaints and concerns resolved informally;

C

Complaints and concerns examined;

D

Examinations pending;

E

Recommendations made; and

F

Recommendations that were followed, to the extent that it can be determined.

Historical and Statutory

Legislative History of Laws For Law 17-9, see notes following § 38-351. DC CODE § 38-353 Current through December 11, 2012

Credits

(June 12, 2007, D.C. Law 17-9, § 604, 54 DCR 4102.)