Federal authorities concluded last year that North Carolina is not adequately meeting federal standards for students with disabilities, a finding that parents, lawyers and education experts say reflects chronic funding and staffing shortfalls and leaves families struggling to secure necessary supports for their children.
Federal review, local struggles
The Charlotte Observer detailed how families in Union County Public Schools have encountered barriers when trying to obtain services for children with disabilities, and reporters found that the state was cited in 2025 as “needing assistance” in complying with federal special-education requirements. The federal designation places North Carolina among 32 states and territories identified that year as requiring additional support to meet the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
"One of the biggest challenges that affects pretty much every district that we work within is lack of resources to meet the needs of the children and families who are enrolled in the district," said Peggy Nicholson, supervising attorney at Duke University’s Children’s Law Clinic.
Parents interviewed in Union County said school staff sometimes delay or impede evaluations and services. Experts who spoke with The Charlotte Observer said those on-the-ground obstacles are often symptoms of larger system weaknesses — primarily limited funding targeted to students with complex needs and a shortage of qualified special-education personnel.
Experts point to funding and staffing as core problems
Advocates say the state’s current funding approach — which largely allocates money on a per-student basis without adequately differentiating levels of need — leaves districts without the resources to serve students who require more intensive services.
According to the reporting, practical consequences of under-resourcing include long waits for formal assessments and a shortage of educators trained to support students with special needs. Experts propose a shift to a more nuanced funding formula and streamlined procedures for parents to challenge decisions.
- Targeted funding: Directing more resources to students with higher-complexity needs rather than uniform per-pupil sums.
- Staffing supports: Recruiting and retaining special-education teachers and evaluators to reduce service delays.
- Appeals and access: Simplifying the process for families to appeal or seek independent evaluations when services are denied.
Why the state context matters
While the reporting focused on families in one North Carolina county, legal experts note the federal finding is not isolated: dozens of states and territories have received similar notices, highlighting a nationwide challenge in providing consistent, compliant services under IDEA. The implications extend beyond individual districts — they touch on how states design funding mechanisms and prioritise recruitment and training for special-education roles.
Parents and clinicians say policy shifts could change outcomes quickly for families. For example, reworking the funding model to account for students’ varied needs could allow districts to hire more evaluators and special-education teachers, reducing wait times for assessments and improving access to tailored programming.
| Year | Number of states/territories cited |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 32 |
Legal clinics that represent families say they frequently encounter school systems that want to comply but lack the human and financial resources to do so. That pattern, they argue, requires state-level remedies rather than case-by-case resolutions.
For Canadian readers and policymakers, the North Carolina situation is a reminder that guaranteeing equitable access to education for students with disabilities requires sustained investment, clear accountability and accessible processes for families. Lessons around funding formulas, workforce development and administrative transparency have relevance for any jurisdiction seeking to ensure students receive mandated supports.
As families push for timely assessments and appropriate services, experts say solutions exist but will require political will and fiscal commitment to implement. Without that, parents and children will continue to shoulder the consequences of a system the federal government has already flagged as needing help.
