Introduction to the Supreme Court Ruling
By LINDSAY WHITEHURST
WASHINGTON (AP) — A teenage girl with a rare form of epilepsy won a unanimous Supreme Court ruling on Thursday that’s expected to make it easier for families of children with disabilities to sue schools over access to education.
Background of the Case
The girl’s family says that her Minnesota school district didn’t do enough to make sure she has the disability accommodations she needs to learn, including failing to provide adequate instruction in the evening when her seizures are less frequent.
But lower courts ruled against the family’s claim for damages, despite finding the school had fallen short. That’s because courts in that part of the country required plaintiffs to show schools used “bad faith or gross misjudgment,” a higher legal standard than most disability discrimination claims.
The Appeal to the Supreme Court
The family appealed to the Supreme Court. The district, Osseo Area Schools, said that lowering the legal standard could expose the country’s understaffed public schools to more lawsuits if their efforts fall short, even if officials are working in good faith.
The district also argued that all claims over accommodations for people with disabilities should be held to the same higher standard — a potentially major switch that would have been a “five-alarm fire” for the disability rights community, the girl’s lawyers said.
Reaction to the Ruling
Her attorney Roman Martinez, of Latham & Watkins, called Thursday’s ruling a win for the family and “children with disabilities facing discrimination in schools across the country.” He added that “it will help protect the reasonable accommodations needed to ensure equal opportunity for all.”
Follow the AP’s coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling is a significant victory for families of children with disabilities, making it easier for them to sue schools over access to education. This ruling is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of many children with disabilities, ensuring they receive the accommodations they need to succeed in school.
Originally Published: June 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM EDT
FAQs
What was the Supreme Court ruling about?
The Supreme Court ruling was about making it easier for families of children with disabilities to sue schools over access to education.
What was the case about?
The case was about a teenage girl with a rare form of epilepsy who claimed that her Minnesota school district didn’t provide adequate disability accommodations.
What was the reaction to the ruling?
The girl’s attorney called the ruling a win for the family and children with disabilities facing discrimination in schools across the country.
Where can I find more information about the Supreme Court?
You can find more information about the U.S. Supreme Court at https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court.
