Plain-English summary
Court: Students need not show 'bad faith or gross misjudgment' to win ADA/Rehab Act claims
The Court unanimously held that students suing public schools under Title II of the ADA or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are not required to prove a heightened standard of "bad faith or gross misjudgment." Ordinary standards for discriminatory or failure-to-accommodate claims apply. The case was vacated and remanded to the Eighth Circuit for further proceedings consistent with the opinion.
Why this matters
The decision removes a higher barrier for students with disabilities and their families seeking legal relief when public schools fail to provide appropriate accommodations. Schools and school districts can no longer rely on the Eighth Circuit’s heightened "bad faith or gross misjudgment" rule to defeat ADA or Section 504 claims; instead, courts will assess claims under the standard statutory framework for disability discrimination and reasonable accommodation.
Who may feel it
- Students with disabilities and their families
- Public school districts and school staff
- Special education advocates and lawyers
- State and local education agencies
- Taxpayers and communities funding public education