Special Education Complaints

Please use this process for concerns related to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) , its implementing regulations , or state special education law (M.G.L. c. 71B ) or the state special education regulations (603 C.M.R. 28.00 or 603 C.M.R. 18.00).

In accordance with IDEA , any individual or organization may submit a state complaint to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department). The Department’s Problem Resolution System Office (PRS) handles these complaints on behalf of the Department.

A complaint must contain certain information outlined in federal law 34 C.F.R § 300.153, including:

The state complaint must allege a violation of the requirements of the IDEA Part B, its implementing federal regulations, state special education law, or state special education regulations.
The complaint must allege a violation that occurred not more than one year prior to the date the complaint is received.

Any individual or organization may file a complaint in a variety of ways, including:

Submit a complaint on the PRS website:

File a Complaint Online
Submission of a complaint intake via:
- Email to DESECompliance@mass.gov
- Postal mail or drop-off:
  
  Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
  Problem Resolution System Office
  135 Santilli Highway
  Everett, MA 02149

PRS has developed a special education model intake form to assist Complainants in filing a complaint .

Translations:

Complainants are not required to use a specific form to submit a complaint to PRS. However, a complaint must contain the information outlined in federal law 34 C.F.R § 300.153 . On the model intake form, required questions are marked with an asterisk symbol (*) for your ease.

Last Updated: August 12, 2026