COPAA celebrates last week’s ruling in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada in C.W. v. Nevada Department of Education. COPAA and twelve students with disabilities and their families are the named plaintiffs in this federal class action lawsuit against the Nevada State Department of Education (“NDE”) and the Clark County School District (“CCSD”), alleging that the school district has systemically failed to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; and that NDE has failed to ensure the district’s compliance with these laws.

The defendants moved to dismiss the lawsuit on several grounds and also filed to strike the class allegations; on September 18, 2025, the Court denied the defendants’ motions. This means that the lawsuit can proceed. COPAA and the plaintiff families seek reforms for the alleged widespread violations of students’ legal and civil rights within CCSD, which include systemic failures to carry out its Child Find duties, to appropriately evaluate students, and to provide appropriate special education and related services and behavioral supports. You can read the Plaintiffs’ Amended Complaint in the lawsuit here.

With this recent ruling, the families of children with disabilities in CCSD are one step closer to vindicating their rights under federal law. 

The families are represented by Lori C. Rogich of Rogich Law Firm; Hillary D. Freeman of Freeman Law Offices; Judith A. Gran and Catherine Merino Reisman of Reisman Carolla Gran & Zuba; Jeffrey I. Wasserman and Gregory G. Little of Wasserman Little; and the law firm of Simmons Freeman.