Who We Are
The Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO) is a state agency in the Governor’s Office, separate from the public education system. We were established by the Washington State Legislature in 2006 and opened our doors to the public in 2007. OEO is the first state-level ombudsman office focused on elementary and secondary public education in the nation.
We are a neutral advocate for fair and equitable processes for students in K-12 public schools.
We help resolve conflict and problems between families and elementary and secondary public schools, provide public information on the school system, promote school-family partnerships and make recommendations for systemic improvements to public officials.
Staff
Education Ombudsmen
Standards of Professional Practice
Recommendations for Systemic Improvement
Staff
OEO is staffed by a group of education professionals who are dedicated to the academic success of Washington students. We have extensive expertise in K-12 public education, mediation and conflict resolution, education law, cultural competence, research-based best practices and family involvement in schools.
Education Ombudsmen
Ombudsmen are trained problem solvers who bring families and educators together to resolve problems that affect student learning. As impartial third parties, we provide consultation, coaching, facilitation and mediation services.
We help families understand how the public education system works, how to get their needs met and what to do when conflict happens. We help educators solve problems and build relationships with families to support student achievement. We also help promote cultural understanding between schools and diverse families.
Ombudsmen assist families and educators to collaborate in finding solutions that serve the best interests of the student and provide support for resolving conflict before it escalates, thus conserving resources for what matters most: student learning.
Standards of Professional Practice
OEO staff members are dedicated to excellence in professional practice and to maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct. OEO is aligned with the United States Ombudsman Association’s standards for public sector ombudsmen, which are:
- Independence
OEO is an impartial entity, independent of the public education system. OEO reports its findings and makes recommendations based on review of data and public policy. - Neutral Perspective
OEO does not allow personal views or beliefs about subject matter or the parties involved to affect decisions on casework or outcomes.
- Impartial process
OEO receives and reviews each concern in an objective and fair manner. OEO ombudsmen treat all parties without favor or prejudice, and help disputing parties focus on the academic success of the student involved.
- Confidentiality
OEO treats all matters, including the identities of students, parents/legal guardians, school officials and individuals from whom information is acquired, as private and confidential.
- Privileged communication
All communications by OEO staff, if reasonably related to OEO’s duties and responsibilities and made in good faith, are privileged, as provided for by RCW 43.06B.040:
"The education ombudsman shall treat all matters, including the identity of students, complainants, and individuals from whom information is acquired, as confidential, except as necessary to enable the education ombudsman to perform the duties of the office. Upon receipt of information that by law is confidential or privileged, the ombudsman shall maintain the confidentiality of such information and shall not further disclose or disseminate the information except as provided by applicable state or federal law"
Recommendations for Systemic Improvement
OEO conducts research on public education issues when annual OEO data indicate patterns and practices in public schools that may have systemwide, negative implications for the learning environment or academic success of students. OEO publishes position papers and special reports with recommendations to public officials for systemic improvement.