Subject to DESE’s oversight, input, approval, and consistent with DESE’s quality standards, the Vendor will complete state complaint investigations and issue determinations on behalf of DESE that are accurate, fair and impartial, and in accordance with the applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance. The Vendor will be assigned complaint investigations at various stages for handling through to disposition. The Vendor will be charged with gathering and/or reviewing all relevant information to make an independent determination of whether the school district or school violated federal or state special education laws or regulations. The Vendor will draft written decisions that are clear, factually accurate, contain a correct analysis for each allegation, and order of corrective action(s), as necessary and appropriate. Each decision developed by the Vendor must comply with the applicable requirements, included but not limited to those referenced in 34 C.F.R. § 300.151-153. The Vendor will incorporate any feedback, edits, and/or input from DESE. Upon completion of the investigation and subject to DESE’s approval, the Vendor will issue the determination on behalf of PRS/DESE. Activities on assigned PRS complaints include, but are not limited to: Review submitted complaints to identify issues appropriate for investigation. Provide the complainant with the opportunity to submit additional information, either orally or in writing, about the allegations in the complaint. Provide the school or District with the opportunity to respond to the complaint. Conduct investigatory and evidence gathering processes including preparing correspondence making a request for local report using PRS standard correspondence templates. Review complainant’s rebuttal to district’s or school’s local report (if any). Review all relevant information and analyze evidence to evaluate district or school compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Prepare correspondence summarizing the evidence reviewed, findings of fact, conclusions, and reasons for the recommended decision. Letters will include findings of compliance or non-compliance and the factual basis for each using standard PRS correspondence templates. Letters will meet all applicable federal and state requirements. Communicate with the parties involved in the complaint as needed. Additionally, the Vendor must: Ensure appropriate recordkeeping and confidentiality practices are followed, including retaining detailed case logs that describe the work performed. Adhere to and comply with the processes described in the PRS Special Education Procedures Guide and any other guidelines provided by PRS.
