Arizona Administrative Code
Title 7 - EDUCATION
Chapter 2 - STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Article 8 - COMPLIANCE
Section R7-2-804 - Compliance with Federal Statutes or Regulations

A. This rule prescribes procedures to be used in filing and processing written complaints alleging the failure of a public agency or school district to comply with federal statutes or regulations applicable to federal education programs conducted and subject to Title 34, Code of Federal Regulations, § 76.780.

B. The Arizona Department of Education (Department) shall accept and investigate complaints provided that the complaint:

C. Upon receipt of a complaint setting forth the criteria contained in (B), the Department shall immediately begin an impartial review which may include onsite investigations. If in the course of the review it is determined that the nature of the complaint is not a matter of noncompliance, the complainant will be so informed and advised of appropriate means of resolving the complaint.

D. A written decision with specific findings shall be issued by the Department within 60 calendar days of receipt of the written complaint. If corrective action is required, such action shall be designated in the decision and shall include the time line for correction and possible consequences for continued noncompliance. A copy of the written decision shall be sent to the complaining party and the agency involved on or before the expiration of the 60-day period. An extension of this timeline will be permitted only if exceptional circumstances exist with respect to a particular complaint.

E. If there appears to be a failure or refusal to comply with the applicable law or regulations, and if the noncompliance or refusal to comply cannot be corrected or avoided by informal means, compliance shall be effected by the Superintendent and the State Board of Education by any means authorized by law or by rule and regulation. The Superintendent shall retain jurisdiction over the issue of noncompliance with the law or regulations and shall retain jurisdiction over the implementation of any corrective action required. However, nothing herein shall preclude the availability of an informal resolution between the complainant and the agency or school district involved, nor shall this rule preclude the availability of any administrative hearing remedies to resolve such disputes or judicial review of such administrative remedies.

F. If, pursuant to an investigation by the Department, the Superintendent finds a failure to comply with applicable law or regulations, he or she shall so inform the agency or school district and compliance shall be obtained by informal means whenever possible. If corrective action is required, such action shall be designated in this decision and shall include the time lines for correction and the possible consequences for continued noncompliance.

G. A summary of each complaint received and investigated by the Department and the decision of the Superintendent shall be submitted annually to the State Board of Education for informational purposes only. Any personally identifiable information shall be deleted from the report to the State Board of Education.

H. The complainant may request the U.S. Department of Education to review the final decision of the Superintendent. The Department shall inform a complainant of the procedures for requesting a review by the U.S. Department of Education.