The education ombudsman shall have the following powers and duties:

     (1) To develop parental involvement materials, including instructional guides developed to inform parents of the essential academic learning requirements required by the superintendent of public instruction. The instructional guides also shall contain actions parents may take to assist their children in meeting the requirements, and should focus on reaching parents who have not previously been involved with their children's education;

     (2) To provide information to students, parents, and interested members of the public regarding this state's public elementary and secondary education system;

     (3) To identify obstacles to greater parent and community involvement in school shared decision-making processes and recommend strategies for helping parents and community members to participate effectively in school shared decision-making processes, including understanding and respecting the roles of school building administrators and staff;

     (4) To identify and recommend strategies for improving the success rates of ethnic and racial student groups with disproportionate academic achievement;

     (5) To refer complainants and others to appropriate resources, agencies, or departments;

     (6) To facilitate the resolution of complaints made by parents and students with regard to the state's public elementary and secondary education system;

     (7) To perform such other functions consistent with the purpose of the education ombudsman; and

     (8) To consult with representatives of the following organizations and groups regarding the work of the office of the education ombudsman, including but not limited to:

     (a) The state parent teacher association;

     (b) Certificated and classified school employees;

     (c) School and school district administrators;

     (d) Parents of special education students;

     (e) Parents of English language learners;

     (f) The Washington state commission on Hispanic affairs;

     (g) The Washington state commission on African-American affairs;

     (h) The Washington state commission on Asian Pacific American affairs; and

     (i) The governor's office of Indian affairs.

[2006 c 116 § 4.]