AEDY Complaint Information for Parents/Guardians
The following is a process designed to address complaints and concerns regarding any aspect of Alternative Education for Disruptive Youth (AEDY) programs, including placement and exiting decisions, the quality of academic instruction, the provision or omission of language assistance services, and services to students with disabilities to include reasonable modifications.
Individuals having complaints and concerns regarding AEDY are required to seek resolution via the relevant LEA and AEDY Program, rather than elevating concerns to PDE in the first instance. The filing of a complaint does not limit any other rights or remedies under federal and state law.
Filing an AEDY Complaint with the LEA And AEDY Program
Any individual or organization may submit a written complaint using the linked AEDY Complaint Form. The form must be completed and sent to the relevant LEA and AEDY Program.
The complaint must include:
- The facts on which the statement is based;
- All relevant documents and supporting information;
- A proposed resolution to the problem to the extent known and available to the complainant at the time the complaint is filed; and
- The contact information for the complainant. The complainant may provide additional information either orally or in writing at any time during the complaint process. The complainant must provide the preferred method of contact on the AEDY Complaint Form.
Failure to provide all of the information in the Complaint Form will not result in the complaint being dismissed. LEA and AEDY Programs will work with complainants to ensure that the requested information is as complete as possible.
The LEA and AEDY Designees in charge of this process shall be impartial and the (LEA and AEDY) Designees will ensure that the handling the investigation is not the subject of the complaint. The Designees may interview any individual who is said to have knowledge of the allegations. As part of the investigation, the Designees may require the AEDY Program or LEA to respond to the allegations and may contact the complainant. The Designees may consider any relevant evidence as part of the investigation and outcome.
The Designees will review the actions taken to address any noncompliance. If the Designees determines that the LEA and AEDY Program addressed the noncompliance, the matter will be closed. If the Designees determine that the LEA and AEDY Program failed to address the noncompliance, the Designees will report to the LEA and AEDY Program Administrator for appropriate enforcement action.
The Designees will make a good faith effort to perform the actions outlined above in accordance with the following timeline: (1) investigate within 45 days of a determination that an investigation is appropriate, and (2) determine compliance or noncompliance within 30 days of the conclusion of an investigation. Depending upon the nature of the allegations and the investigation, the Designees may take additional time for these steps and will notify the complainant if additional time is needed. Regardless of the aforementioned timelines, the Designees will expedite its investigation and corrective action for more serious allegations.
The Designees will review the actions taken to address any noncompliance. If the Designees determines that the LEA and AEDY Program addressed the noncompliance, the matter will be closed. If the Designees determine that the LEA and AEDY Program failed to address the noncompliance, the Designees will report to the LEA and AEDY Program Administrator for appropriate enforcement action.
The LEA and AEDY Designees will acknowledge receipt of complaints. To determine the status of a complaint, please feel free to contact Licia Lentz (LEA and AEDY Designees) at 412-394-5804. If the parent disagrees with the LEA or AEDY programs conclusions, they may file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Safe Schools.