On June 12, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a unanimous decision in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, marking a significant victory for students with disabilities and their families. The case centered on a Minnesota student with a rare form of epilepsy that made it impossible for her to attend school before midday. Her school district refused to offer supplemental afternoon instruction, prompting her parents to file legal claims under the IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA.
The lower courts acknowledged the student’s right to compensatory education but dismissed the family’s claim for money damages, asserting that the parents had not proven “bad faith or gross misjudgment.” However, the Supreme Court later overturned that approach, ruling that claims under Section 504 and the ADA do not require families to prove intent or malice. Instead, these claims are held to the same standards used in other disability discrimination cases, where the focus is on whether a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) was denied.
This decision removes a significant legal barrier for families and ensures that schools are held accountable based on how they meet students’ needs—not the motivations behind their actions. The ruling is a strong affirmation of fairness and equal opportunity in special education. We will continue to watch how this decision plays out. If you feel that your child’s needs are not being met in school, please reach out to us at Fick Educational Services.
Fick Educational Services is devoted to the educational needs of the children through individualized learning plans, tutoring and advocacy.
