Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs Complaint Process

The Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs encourage stakeholders to discuss their concerns with appropriate program personnel who have the authority to address the concerns. Concerns should be expressed as soon as possible to allow early resolution at the lowest possible level. Informal resolutions shall be encouraged.

As defined by TAC 228.121: An applicant for candidacy in an educator preparation program (EPP), an employee or former employee of an EPP, a cooperating teacher, a host teacher, a mentor, a site supervisor, or an administrator in a public or private school that serves as a site for clinical teaching, residency, internship, or practicum experiences may submit a complaint about an EPP for investigation and resolution.

Any of the above-mentioned, hereinafter referred to as the complainant, who has a complaint, may seek resolution without fear of retaliation.

For filing a formal complaint, please follow the guidelines listed below.

Filing a Complaint

A formal public complaint is a signed written statement of complaints or concerns regarding the customer service provided by employees of the Education Service Center Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs. A formal written public complaint must include the facts upon which the complaint is based.  

For a complaint regarding the Educator Certification Program, please provide a written and signed copy of the Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs Complaint Form to the Region 13 Educator Preparation Program office in person, by mail, or by email to:   

Region 13 Educator Certification Program
5701 Springdale Road
Austin, TX 78723   

Phone: (512) 919-5366
Email: ECP@esc13.txed.net  

Anonymous or unsigned complaints will not be processed. It is also important to know that the sender of complaints that are received by email must be verified. The sender must provide a full name, address, and phone number that matches the information found on the Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs Complaint Form. Verification of the sender will be conducted by phone and documented in an email reply message to the sender. 

Complaint Procedures

The Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs have established the following procedures for responding to a formal complaint from the public regarding an issue involving the Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs. 

  1. Any complainant wishing to submit a complaint about one of the Educator Certification Programs (EPPs) shall initially file a formal complaint using the Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs Complaint Form to the appropriate Program Coordinator. 
    1. If the complaint is against one of the Program Coordinators, then the complainant should notify the ESC Region 13 Director of Leadership Initiatives and Support (keith.thompson@esc13.txed.net) in writing.
  2. The Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs Complaint Form must be signed and dated by the complainant and submitted within 30 calendar days of the alleged incident. The Program Coordinator will make a determination on a case-by-case basis as to whether complaints submitted after the deadline will be considered.
  3. The Program Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of your complaint within 10 business days. After the complaint is received, an investigation will take place. The investigative period may last up to 30 calendar days; extenuating circumstances may cause a deviation from the defined time frames. The Program Coordinator shall conduct the investigation. The Program Coordinator will gather all facts pertaining to the complaint. This procedure ensures a thorough investigation, affording all involved parties an opportunity to submit evidence relevant to the complaint.
  4. The Program Coordinator shall send a written resolution to the complainant with the outcome(s), reason(s) for the decision, and any remedies afforded within 30 calendar days of receipt of the complaint.

Appeal

  1. If the complainant wishes to file an appeal of the resolution, the complainant shall notify the Director of Leadership Initiatives and Support (keith.thompson@esc13.txed.net) in writing with a copy of the initial Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs Complaint Form and a copy of the Program Coordinator’s written resolution. The written appeal must be signed by the complainant and submitted within 10 business days of the Program Coordinator’s resolution. The Director of Leadership Initiatives and Support will make a determination on a case-by-case basis as to whether appeals submitted after the deadline will be considered.
  2. An investigation shall follow the submission of the appeal. Within 30 calendar days of receiving the appeal, the Director of Leadership Initiatives and Support shall submit a decision in writing to the complainant with the outcome(s), reason(s) for the decision, and any remedies afforded, if any. Extenuating circumstances may cause a deviation from the defined time frames. The Director of Leadership Initiatives and Support shall also forward a copy of the resolution to the Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs to be filed in the participant’s electronic folder.
  3. If a candidate disagrees with the decision of the Director of Leadership Initiatives and Support, the next step in the complaint process is for the Deputy Executive Director of Academic Services (kerry.gain@esc13.txed.net) to review the complaint, and the final appeal would be to the Executive Director (rich.elsasser@esc13.txed.net) of the Education Service Center Region 13.

TEA Complaint

If any complainant has an unresolved complaint and appeal decision regarding the Region 13 Educator Preparation Programs and wishes to report it to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the complainant will need to follow the required steps outlined by TEA. Information can be found on the TEA website at: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/preparation-and-continuing-education/complaints-against-educator-preparation-programs