Office of Education Advocacy

Mission

To empower Alaska's educational stakeholders through a centralized office, ensuring access to information, advocacy for rights and assistance in navigating Alaska’s education system.

Services

Central Point for Inquiries and Resources

• Streamline Inquiries | Establish a centralized office where parents, students, community members, education staff, and elected officials can direct all their inquiries, ensuring consistency and reliability in the information provided.
• Resource Development | Develop a range of supportive materials, such as how-to guides, FAQs, and interactive tools that address common educational challenges and questions.
• Comprehensive Resource Database | Develop and maintain an up-to-date database of educational resources, including policy documents, guides, toolkits, and best practices.

Assist Stakeholders in Navigating the Education System

• Personalized Guidance | Offer one-on-one support to help stakeholders understand and navigate the complexities of Alaska’s education system
• Educational Workshops | Conduct workshops and informational sessions on various aspects of Alaska’s education system

Provide Information/Support on Educational Rights & Policies

• Rights Education | Create and distribute materials that clearly outline the rights of students, parents, and educators, including explanations of relevant laws and policies.
• Policy Updates | Regularly update stakeholders on changes to educational policies and regulations, explaining the implications and actions they may need to take.

Refer Issues to the Appropriate Departments or Agencies

• Central Point for Inquiries and Resources | Implement a system for identifying the nature of each inquiry or complaint and directing it to the appropriate department or agency for resolution.
• Assist Stakeholders in Navigating the Education System |  Ensure issues are documented from initial contact to resolution, providing updates to stakeholders and ensuring accountability within the education system

File a Complaint

Before You File a Notice to OEA

Before submitting a notice to the Office of Education Advocacy (OEA), you must first make a good-faith effort to resolve the issue at the local level by contacting the school, principal, superintendent, or local school board, and retain documentation of those efforts. Notices must be filed within six months of the alleged violation and may be rejected if the issue is subject to a separate complaint process established in statute or regulation. If a notice is rejected, the OEA will notify the complainant within 10 business days and may refer the matter to the appropriate department or agency.

Office of Education Advocacy Complaint Form (pdf)