Our Mission

The Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO) promotes equity in education and the academic success of all students attending elementary and secondary public schools in Washington by providing information to students, families, and communities regarding the school system, promoting family and community involvement in education, helping resolve conflict between families and schools, and by providing policymakers with recommendations to improve the education system.

Our Services

We Provide Information about K-12 Education in Plain Language

• Information and Referrals. We provide information about the education system and referrals to education-related resources on our website and over the phone. Call our office, interpreter services are available!
• Workshops and Training. We provide workshops and training opportunities for families, community members, and educators across the state about conflict resolution strategies, culturally relevant ways to involve families and communities in school, student and families’ education-related rights, and more. Request a workshop by calling our office.
• Publications. We publish a variety of informational publications designed to help families understand and navigate the K-12 education system. Our publications are free and are available in multiple languages. Download a publication from our website, or call our office to have publications mailed to you.

We Help Resolve Conflict between Families and Schools

• We act as a neutral third party when conflict occurs between families and schools. We do not take sides in disputes. The Ombudsmen listen, inform, identify option, and recommend solutions. See OEO’s guidelines for filing a complaint to learn more.

We Work to Improve the K-12 Education System

• OEO provides the Governor, Legislature, and State Board of Education with recommendations to improve the K-12 education system on an annual basis.

Our Staff

Our diverse staff members have expertise in K-12 education, family and community involvement in schools, education law and policy, and are dedicated to the academic success of Washington’s students.

History

OEO was established by the 2006 Washington State Legislature, by House Bill 3127, as an agency within the Office of the Governor. OEO is the first state-level ombudsman office focused on elementary and secondary public education in the nation. OEO is independent from the public education system.