NC Education Lawyer Blog

As a student-side higher education attorney, I view campus controversies through two lenses at once: law and institutional responsibility. Not every harmful editorial choice is unlawful. Not every offensive joke creates liability. Nonetheless, universities and the organizations operating within them do not get to ignore the legal and policy environment in which their speech lands. That is why two April Fools pieces published by  The Daily Tar Heel  deserve serious criticism.

If your child is struggling in school, you may wonder whether the issue is a temporary learning bump or something that calls for additional support. In North Carolina, children with disabilities may be entitled to special education and related services through the public school system. Federal law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to identify, locate, and evaluate children who may need services—a duty commonly called Child Find. Fami

What should parents do if their child is secluded or restrained at school

As a student-side education attorney in North Carolina, I hear a version of the same story over and over again. A student is harassed, excluded, denied support, or discriminated against at school. The family reports it. The district minimizes the problem or delays action. And the parents are left searching for someone, anyone, who can step in and enforce the law. For decades, families often turned to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) when local sy

If your child already has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), you may hear the school talk about a reevaluation. A reevaluation is a formal review process used to decide whether your child continues to qualify for special education services and to identify the child’s current educational needs. For families in North Carolina, reevaluations are governed by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The core rule is that reevaluations help ensure a

As a student-side education attorney, I read Behind Locked Doors – Inside North Carolina’s Juvenile Detention Centers with alarm, but not surprise. The report documents what many of us who represent vulnerable children already know: when young people enter detention, their educational rights often become an afterthought, and for students with disabilities, those rights may disappear almost entirely. The report, issued by Disability Rights North Carolina after visits to every

A new study from researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill has intensified a debate that many North Carolina families, educators, and school leaders have been having for years: how much cellphone use during the school day is too much? We believe that when students are spending roughly one-third of the school day on their phones, it is not just a classroom management issue, it is an access-to-learning issue, a policy issue, and a student rights issue. New Study Finds Students Spend About

M any legal, tax, and government deadlines rely on a familiar rule: if a document is postmarked by the deadline, it is considered filed on time. However, a recent change in how mail is processed means that the postmark date may no longer reflect the day you mailed your document, and that can have serious consequences. What Has Changed? Traditionally, when you mailed a document—by dropping it in a mailbox or handing it to a postal clerk—the postmark often reflected that same d

North Carolina has enacted a new statewide education law ( HB 959 )that significantly changes how students use cell phones and access social media during the school day. While individual school districts will still control many details, this law establishes mandatory minimum requirements that all public schools must follow. As an education attorney, I am often asked how these types of laws affect students’ rights, parental expectations, and school obligations. Below is a plai

For Immediate Release Lawsuits Filed Against Wake County School Board for Abuse and Discrimination Against Students with Disabilities...

On May 22, 2025, a federal judge issued a major ruling that directly affects the future of the U.S. Department of Education (ED)—and, by...

Join Attorney Harris and other esteemed panelist for an educational, empowering and enlightening Continuing Legal Education course.

The use of cell phones in schools has become a contentious issue in recent years, as educators and policymakers grapple with balancing...

Introduction Navigating the complexities of the education system can be challenging for parents, especially when it comes to...

Education is one of the most critical aspects of our society. As education attorneys and advocates, it is imperative that we remain well...

The passage of the Parent Bill of Rights in North Carolina has sparked significant discussion about its potential impact on LGBT...

As the holiday season approaches, many families look forward to spending quality time together, enjoying traditions, and perhaps taking a...

The Back to School Guide for parents of students with IEPs

Navigating college with a disability can present unique challenges, but it's important to know that you have rights and protections....

Bullying can be defined as aggressive behavior characterized by intentional and repeated injury or discomfort to another person over a...