Georgia parents are filing a record number of special education complaints against school districts, raising alarms among advocates about possible civil rights violations for students with disabilities.
State and national data show a sharp rise in written complaints and due process filings over the last two school years, as families challenge whether schools are giving children the services they are promised under federal law.
Advocates say more parents are turning to formal state complaints because they are easier to file than lawsuits and do not require an attorney, making them a key tool for families who feel their concerns are ignored.
The Georgia Department of Education's dispute resolution system allows parents to submit written allegations that a district has violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, triggering a state investigation and a deadline for the district to respond, according to Atlanta News First.
Rising complaints and civil rights worries
The surge in complaints comes as federal civil rights officials also report unprecedented volumes of disability-related cases.
The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has received tens of thousands of complaints in recent years, with disability discrimination now making up a large share of those filings, reflecting growing frustration over unequal access and services in schools nationwide.
In Georgia, recent federal actions have highlighted local problems, including a 2024 Justice Department settlement with Fulton County Schools over its response to sexual assaults involving students with disabilities on a special education bus, which found the district failed to put proper protections and procedures in place, Special Education Action reported.
Advocates push for stronger oversight
Civil rights lawyers and special education advocates say the rising complaint numbers in Georgia point to deeper systemic issues, such as staff shortages, inadequate training, and longstanding concerns about how students with disabilities are identified and supported in general education classrooms.
They warn that delays in resolving disputes can leave students without needed services for months or even years, widening learning gaps and placing districts at risk of violating federal anti-discrimination laws.
Parent groups are now calling for more state oversight, stronger enforcement of existing rules, and clearer communication to families about their rights when they believe a district has broken the law, as per NPR.
