New Supreme Court Decision Victory for Parents

A recent Supreme Court decision (A.J.T., by and through her parents, v. Osseo Area Schools) just lowered the threshold for parents to seek justice when schools fail to meet their child’s educational needs. In this case, a student with epilepsy was receiving only 4.25 hours of instruction per day, as opposed to her non-disabled peers, who were receiving 6.5 hours, when the district refused to accommodate her need for shorter school days and request for additional evening instruction. Lower courts ruled in favor of the district on the basis that the district was not acting in “bad faith or gross misjudgment.” (A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, 605 US ___, 2025). The Supreme Court overturned those decisions, prioritizing the educational needs of the student over the intent of the district in its actions.

What This Case Changed

In the past, if a parent wanted to seek judicial relief in federal court for “compensatory education”—additional services to make up for educational harm—the courts required the parent to prove something very difficult: that the school acted with gross indifference, bad faith, or deliberate misjudgment.

Yesterday the court ruled that it is not necessary to prove bad intentions on the part of the school. Instead, if a district fails to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) as required by law, and that failure harms the student, then compensatory education may be awarded—even if the school was acting in good faith. This standard aligns with non-educational ADA and 504 suits.

Why This Matters for You and Your Child

This ruling is a game-changer. It shifts the focus back where it belongs: on whether your child got the services they needed—not on trying to prove what the district was thinking.

• If your child’s IEP wasn’t followed,
• If services were missed or delayed,
• If your child didn’t make progress because the school didn’t provide appropriate support—

Then you may be entitled to relief, regardless of whether the school meant well or tried hard.

What You Can Do Next

• Document everything. Keep records of services, progress, and communication with the school.
• Trust your instincts. If you believe your child didn’t get what they were promised, you may now have stronger legal grounds.
• Reach out. I’m here to help you evaluate your child’s situation in light of this important case.

This ruling empowers parents and levels the playing field. Let’s make sure our children get what they’re legally—and morally—entitled to.