THE STATE COMPLAINT PROCEDURE UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIESEDUCATION ACT

IDEA complaint managers in 35 states responded to a survey asking how their state interprets and implements the state complaint procedure un der the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although c omplaints increased as a percent of the special education population d uring the years surveyed, most respondents believed that neither educa tor nor parental awareness of the complaint procedure had and increase d since its reinsertion in the 1992 IDEA regulations. Although respond ents preferred mediation over other dispute resolution options, noneth eless, a majority concluded that the complaint procedure had reduced t he number of due process hearings in their state. Although continuing study of the efficacy of the state complaint procedure is needed, grea ter awareness of its utility should be fostered.