ONDEC documents process, not outcomes. Before contributing records or reviewing the public index, it is important to understand what documentation means in this context.

This page explains how to document, what to document, and what not to include.

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What Documentation Is

Documentation is the practice of preserving verifiable facts about how a public process unfolded over time.

At minimum, this means recording:

• Dates (when something was sent, requested, or occurred)
• Method (email, letter, portal submission, in person)
• Recipient (institution or office, not individuals unless required)
• Response status (responded, pending no response)

Documentation answers whether a process occurred, not whether it was fair.

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What to Document

Appropriate records include:

• Formal requests or notices
• Written responses (or lack of response)
• Publicly issued letters or decisions
• Confirmable timestamps
• Administrative or procedural correspondence

Records should be original, unaltered, and complete.

If a fact cannot be independently verified, it should not be documented.

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What Not to Document

ONDEC does not document:

• Opinions or interpretations
• Accusations or allegations
• Emotional statements or narratives
• Legal arguments
• Assumptions about intent or motive

Documentation is not advocacy.

Interpretation is left to the reader.

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Why Neutrality Matters

Neutral records are durable.

When documentation avoids conclusions, it remains useful to:

• parents and guardians
• journalists and researchers
• institutions and professionals
• the public

Neutrality protects both the record and the people involved.

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What ONDEC Does With Documentation

ONDEC may:

• preserve records
• organize records by date and institution
• reflect response or non-response over time

ONDEC does not:

• provide legal advice
• advocate for outcomes
• intervene in proceedings
• assess wrongdoing or liability

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Before You Proceed

If you are seeking help, representation, or advocacy, ONDEC may not be the right place.

Documentation is not about winning. It is about keeping the record intact.