D.C. Schools Ombuds Issues Second Annual Report

The Ombudsman for Public Education, Joyanna Smith, says that the caseload to her office more than tripled last year. Smith, Associate Ombudsman Elizabeth Tossell, seven fellows, and two interns, handled 469 cases in 2014-15 compared to 150 in the prior academic year. About 88% of the cases were resolved within the same year. 

Student discipline and special education continued to be the most common complaint issues, and more than a third of all cases involved students with disabilities. The full report is available online. (DC Ombuds 2015 Report; Washington Post.)

Related posts: DC Schools Ombuds Lasts Just 14 Months; DC Council Pulls Plug on Schools Ombuds After Less Than Two Years;  District of Columbia Moves to Reinstate Education Ombuds; Job Posting; District of Columbia Appoints Schools Ombuds; Job Posting; D.C. Schools Ombuds Reports on a Busy First Year; Fellowship Opportunity: D.C. Schools Ombuds.