Dealing with Nevada's education system can be confusing and often stressful, especially when legal issues arise. At the Lento Law Firm, we have spent years navigating issues related to education law in Nevada, as well as advocating for students from kindergarten through college across the state. Whether you're in Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, or the surrounding suburban communities, we can be by your side as you fight to protect your rights, ensure fair treatment, and help you or your kid succeed academically.
Education law isn't just about following the rules; when it comes to children with disabilities, it's about rights. That's why it's important to have an ally to ensure that college students at institutions like the Nevada State University or Great Basin College are treated fairly, not just in the day-to-day, but also in disciplinary proceedings, should those come up. It's about making sure schools take the necessary steps in case of bullying or harassment. And it's about protecting everyone's right to free speech. If you or your child is having any issues that fall under education law in Nevada, the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team is here to help. Contact us at 888-535-3686 or complete the form online to discuss your case.
Special Education & Disability Rights in Nevada
The framework of federal laws like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies in Nevada, just as they do in the rest of the country. But Nevada also has its own rules and timelines that can make the application of these laws more complex if you are not aware of the details. These rules are contained in the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 388, which refers to the System of Public Instruction, particularly the sections on special instructional services and programs.
Nevada public schools, including in districts like Carson City School District, Eureka County School District, or Storey County School District, are required to evaluate students who are suspected of having a disability and, when eligible, provide Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This includes tailored support services, modifications, and placements suited to each child's unique needs.
However, dealing with the public education system, particularly when it comes to a disability, can be especially overwhelming for both students and parents. This is particularly true when you don't know the details of what your child is entitled to. The Lento Law Firm can help families challenge inadequate evaluations, inappropriate placements, and violations of procedural safeguards under IDEA and Section 504. Whatever the specific issue is, our team will be by your side, fighting to ensure students receive the support and services they need.
IEPs and 504 Plans: Advocacy That Makes a Difference
In Nevada, like in many states across the country, IEPs and 504 Plans are the best way forward for students with disabilities. The two are similar, but not equivalent. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legally binding document that outlines special education services for eligible K-12 students. A 504 Plan, meanwhile, is meant for students who do not qualify for special education but still need accommodations due to a disability.
Both of these are essential for some students, but obtaining them isn't always as simple as it should be. It requires knowledge of the system, and sometimes even legal action if necessary. Public school districts are required to follow laws and state guidance when it comes to implementing these plans, but not all do—and that makes securing the best education for your child more complicated than it should be, at times.
The Lento Law Firm can help your family in cities such as Sparks, Elko, and Mesquite, among others, to:
- Ensure that all evaluations and reevaluations are conducted properly and on time, and that you are not left waiting for longer than you should be.
- Review and challenge any draft IEPs that fail to include measurable goals or appropriate services, so the plan actually helps your child.
- Attend IEP and 504 meetings to advocate directly on behalf of your child.
- File any due process complaints necessary and even represent your family in administrative hearings if disputes arise.
Sometimes schools can make decisions on these plans and the services provided without parental consent. The Lento Law Firm can help you make sure that your voice is always taken into account and push back against any attempts to sideline you and your family.
Reasonable accommodations are also something students are entitled to at a college level, but unlike in K-12 settings, postsecondary institutions are not required to identify students or proactively provide services in any way. This means the burden is on the student and the family, which can be complicated by a lack of knowledge or understanding of what services must be provided. The Lento Law Firm can help college students secure accommodations, appeal denials, and challenge discrimination in academic settings.
Discipline, Suspensions, and Expulsions: Protecting the Right to Learn
Disciplinary actions of any kind can have a lasting effect on a student's academic history and their future prospects. In Nevada, school districts and universities must follow due process when suspending or expelling a student, but often, students and parents alike don't understand what their rights are or how to best protect them.
In cities like Boulder City or Dayton, there have been incidents where students have faced suspensions, long-term removals, and expulsion hearings and have had to face the disciplinary process without understanding that they are entitled to written notice, an explanation of the evidence, and an opportunity to tell their side of the story.
The Lento Law Firm can help. We can be your ally at every step of the process, making sure you understand your rights, that your best interests are represented, and that someone is always fighting for the best outcome for you, no matter the circumstances.
We can provide assistance not just when it comes to information, but also present evidence and witnesses, and ensure you receive a fair process. We can also provide help with appeals when a disciplinary sanction has been wrongly imposed, assist in expunging or sealing disciplinary records when appropriate, and help you or your child avoid long-term harm, whether it is emotional or to your future career opportunities.
Bullying and Harassment: Legal Remedies for Families
Bullying is a serious issue that can have severe consequences, including academic failure, emotional trauma, and even physical harm. Schools and universities are obligated to take steps to prevent and address bullying under both state laws and federal civil rights statutes.
The Lento Law Firm represents families of students who have experienced:
- Peer bullying or cyberbullying of any kind.
- Harassment based on race, disability, religion, sex, or nationality.
- Retaliation for reporting abuse.
- Institutional failure to intervene or protect students.
We also represent students who have been accused of bullying or other forms of misconduct, including Title IX violations. Whether your child is suffering from bullying or is the one being accused of it, it's important to take action right away. Bullying is a serious matter, and the way schools and universities deal with it, on both sides, requires an understanding of the process and of the possible consequences.
This is true if your child is the one being bullied, because schools don't always take the necessary steps to protect children, or if you're the one being accused of bullying, as this is the kind of delicate subject where schools are often trigger-happy.
Allegations alone can lead to disciplinary actions that may impact a student's academic record, reputation, and future opportunities, which is why it's important to take them seriously from the beginning. Students deserve a fair process and strong advocacy to ensure their rights are protected, and that's where the Lento Law Firm comes in.
Our Education Lawyers in Nevada will fight to hold schools accountable under Title IX, Title VI, and other civil rights laws. We will also work to secure protective measures, investigate negligence, and seek justice for students harmed by systemic failures or unfairly targeted by disciplinary proceedings. Whatever the issue you're dealing with, you don't have to deal with it alone.
Discrimination in Nevada Schools and Colleges
It's important to understand that although discrimination in education based on race, gender, disability, national origin, or other protected statuses is illegal, that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Students in Nevada deserve an environment where they can learn free from prejudice and systemic bias. But they sometimes won't get it unless someone steps in.
The Lento Law Firm can help. If you or your child is facing situations where:
- They're on the receiving end of racial slurs or targeted by peers without an administrative response
- There's unequal discipline for students of color
- They're denied access to gifted programs or extracurriculars due to disability
- There's gender identity discrimination, including name/pronoun misuse and restroom access
Then it's best to have an ally in the fight, one who understands the rules and regulations and can push back against schools and universities and hold them up to the standards they should be held up to, for the good of all students.
In addition to that, the Lento Law Firm can also help students file internal and external discrimination complaints at the college level, as well as seek accommodations when improperly denied, and address housing, classroom, or professor misconduct based on protected traits.
The Lento Law Firm can provide assistance for you and fight for the best resolution possible—whether that comes through negotiation, mediation, or, when necessary, litigation. But as we do this, we are committed to not just achieving the best outcome for you, but also to improving the system for others because no student should face discrimination ever, and especially not in an educational setting.
Student Rights and Free Speech: Know Your Rights in Nevada
There's a notion that student rights change or are restricted inside a school or university, but that is not so. Your constitutional rights are just that, no matter where you are. And that means free speech is protected under both federal and state constitutions. That, however, doesn't mean schools won't attempt to silence students, particularly when these students are speaking out about political or social issues.
If you or your child is facing discipline for participating in protests or walkouts, or being told not to wear certain clothing or symbols, or facing punishment for social media posts or for distributing flyers, taking part in student clubs, or publish opinions in school newspapers, the Lento Law Firm Education Law team can help. No student should face censorship just for being who they are and expressing their opinions.
Rulings like Tinker v. Des Moines and more recently Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L. mean students have legal protections, particularly when their expression doesn't disrupt school operations. However, since interpretations can vary wildly depending on the school or university, it's always important to have the right representation when facing these issues.
At the college level, free speech issues can arise in:
- Campus protests and demonstration policies
- Student organization recognition and funding
- Speech codes or administrative censorship
The Lento Law Firm can challenge unconstitutional restrictions and be the ally students need to assert their rights, whether that is through formal complaints or litigation. We believe strongly that schools and universities must be places of learning, not censorship.
Why Choose the Lento Law Firm as Your Nevada Education Attorneys?
When you're facing issues regarding Education Law, you need the right team by your side, one that understands these issues. Education law is not just a side practice for us; it's our focus. We are familiar with the timelines, pressures, and possible repercussions that students face when dealing with schools. Our team understands the educational landscape in Nevada and will work to build strong cases and find solutions quickly.
With the Lento Law Firm, you'll get:
- A team of lawyers who understand Nevada education law and how local districts operate, as well as how to handle school officials in the state.
- Personalized representation that takes into account the emotional, academic, and future impact of school decisions.
- Aggressive and yet smart legal action when negotiations fail or schools violate your rights.
- Commitment to long-term success by empowering students and families with tools, knowledge, and access to justice.
Whether you need help preparing for a school meeting, facing a hearing, or crafting an appeal, we are ready to stand by your side.
Contact the Lento Law Firm Today
If you or your child is facing an educational challenge in Nevada, it's best to act now. The quicker you act, the better your chance of a positive outcome. Contact us at 888-535-3686 or complete the form online, and we will get in touch with you. Let us help you protect what matters most—your child's education and future.
