A federal lawsuit claims Cumberland County Schools delayed special education evaluations for years. The Advocacy Circle urges parents to track requests and act when schools stall.
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI, December 10, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Advocacy Circle, a national platform supporting families navigating special education, is urging parents to pay close attention to how quickly their school districts respond to requests for evaluations after a new federal lawsuit accused Cumberland County Schools in North Carolina of systematically delaying assessments for students who may need special education services.
As reported by NC Newsline, the lawsuit alleges that district leaders relied on years of general education interventions instead of promptly evaluating students for disabilities—even when parents formally requested testing. For a deeper look at the case and the stories of the families involved, you can read it here.
The case is styled Lee et al. v. Cumberland County Board of Education et al., Case No. 5:25-cv-00746 (E.D.N.C.). The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Robert C. Ekstrand of Ekstrand & Ekstrand LLP, 110 Swift Avenue, Second Floor, Durham, NC 27705, Tel. (919) 452-4647.
For many families, the first red flag is when a child is struggling year after year, but the school keeps promising that "extra help" or tiered interventions will be enough, while never initiating a formal evaluation under IDEA or Section 504.
"When a parent puts a request for a special education evaluation in writing, the clock starts ticking," said Dan Rothfeld, COO of The Advocacy Circle. "If months go by with no consent form, no testing plan, and no clear timeline, families need to treat that as a serious warning sign and consider getting outside support."
Rothfeld emphasized that families do not have to wait passively while schools delay. Parents can document every request, follow up in writing, and, when necessary, consult advocates or attorneys to enforce their child's right to a timely evaluation.
Through its subscription-based tools, templates, and expert guidance, The Advocacy Circle helps parents organize their records, draft effective written requests, and prepare for evaluations, eligibility meetings, and IEP or 504 plan negotiations.
About The Advocacy Circle
The Advocacy Circle is a nationwide support platform for families navigating special education. Built by experienced advocates and education-law professionals, TAC provides on-demand resources, structured tools, and guided workflows to help parents understand their rights, prepare for school meetings, and advocate effectively for their children.
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