• South Carolina Department of Education Complaint Resolution Procedures

         The State Department of Education has the authority to hear complaints and appeals regarding certain federal programs and requires school districts to distribute the following information concerning the South Carolina Department of Education’s complaint resolution procedures:

    • Organizations or individuals may file a complaint that applies to Title I within thirty days of receiving the decision by the school district or group of districts.
    • Complaints and appeals must be made in writing and they must contain a statement indicating the violation, the facts on which the statement is based, and the specific requirement of law or regulation allegedly violated.  Complaints and appeals must be filed with the State Superintendent of Education at the S.C. Department of Education, 1429 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201.
    • The SDE will confirm receipt of the complaint within ten business days and will conduct an investigation to determine the merits of the complaint.  The Deputy Superintendent will issue a final decision regarding the complaint within 60 days, except under exceptional circumstances that warrant an extension. 
    • The final decision of the SDE may be appealed to the Secretary of the U. S. Department of Education.