Plain-English summary
Court rules students need not show 'bad faith or gross misjudgment' for ADA and Section 504 school claims
The Court held that students suing public schools under Title II of the ADA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act need not prove a heightened showing of “bad faith or gross misjudgment.” Instead, ordinary standards for disability discrimination and failure-to-accommodate claims apply. The Eighth Circuit’s rule requiring the heightened showing was vacated and the case remanded.
Why this matters
The ruling lowers the hurdle for students and families seeking relief when public schools fail to accommodate or discriminate against students with disabilities. It ensures that courts evaluate such claims under the ordinary legal standards Congress enacted in the ADA and Rehabilitation Act, rather than an extra, tougher requirement applied by the Eighth Circuit.
Who may feel it
- Students with disabilities who attend public schools
- Parents and guardians of students with disabilities
- Public school districts and school administrators
- Special education and disability rights advocates
- State and local education agencies and attorneys
Key questions
- Do plaintiffs alleging education-related violations of Title II of the ADA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act have to prove 'bad faith or gross misjudgment' by a public school to prevail?