Endrew F. v. Douglas County: Raising the Bar for Special Education under IDEA

Introduction

As part of our ongoing series looking into key judicial decisions shaping special education law, we previously discussed foundational IDEA cases, including our initial overview, Understanding IDEA: An Introduction to Special Education Law, and Board of Education v. Rowley. Today, we explore another significant advancement through the Endrew F. Supreme Court IDEA decision (Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, 2017). This case clarified and raised expectations for providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), redefining how schools approach educational planning for students with disabilities in the Second Circuit and nationwide.

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Understanding FAPE: The Landmark Rowley Supreme Court Decision

Introduction

In our previous post, Understanding IDEA: An Introduction to Special Education Law, we introduced the fundamental principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Today, we’re diving deeper into one of the most influential Supreme Court cases interpreting IDEA: the Rowley Supreme Court IDEA decision (Board of Education v. Rowley, 1982). This landmark case shaped the standard for what constitutes a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) and continues to guide special education law in the Second Circuit and nationwide.

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