Home and neighborhood
Who handles a concern about my child’s public school?
Who handles it
Your child’s school and local school district handle most concerns, under state oversight. For discrimination, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights takes complaints.
- Federal
- State
- Local
Facts checked November 5, 2026 · 5 sources
Why federal and state and local government
Primary responsibility for public schools rests with the states and their local school systems, which provide most school funding. Federal law bars federal officials from controlling a school’s curriculum.
What to do next
- Start with the teacher or principal, then contact your school district office if the concern is not resolved.
- If the district does not resolve it, find your state education agency’s contact information on its website.
- For discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.
In your state
Find your state’s official offices on our state pages.
Learn the background: What is the difference between a county, a city, a township and a school district?