U.S. Supreme Court Case on Disability Rights in Education

SOURCE www.npr.org
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case about the reach of federal laws protecting children with disabilities in public schools. Ava Tharpe, a girl with serious disabilities, sued her school for not accommodating her late-day schedule. The case will determine the standard parents must prove to qualify for compensatory damages under disability-rights laws.

Key Points

  • Ava Tharpe's case highlights the struggle of families with disabled children to receive proper accommodations in public schools
  • The Supreme Court will decide between a strict standard requiring 'bad faith or gross misjudgment' and a less stringent standard of 'deliberate indifference' for parents to qualify for compensatory damages
  • The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for disability rights in education

Pros

  • Potential to establish a more lenient standard for parents to qualify for compensatory damages under disability-rights laws
  • Could lead to better accommodations for children with disabilities in public schools

Cons

  • School systems may face increased liability if a more lenient standard is established