IDEA complaint managers in 35 states responded to a survey asking how their state interprets and implements the state complaint procedure under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Although complaints increased as a percent of the special education population during the years surveyed, most respondents believed that neither educator nor parental awareness of the complaint procedure had increased since its reinsertion in the 1992 IDEA regulations. Although respondents preferred mediation over other dispute resolution options, nonetheless, a majority concluded that the complaint procedure had reduced the number of due process hearings in their state. Although continuing study of the efficacy of the state complaint procedure is needed, greater awareness of its utility should be fostered.