SOAR Commission LLC

Important update for parents of children with disabilities: The Supreme Court has made it easier for families to take action when schools fail to meet their child’s needs.

Previously, parents had to show that the school acted with serious misconduct or gross negligence. Now, they only need to demonstrate that the school was aware of the issue but didn’t take sufficient steps to address it—using a standard common in other disability discrimination cases.

This could give parents more options when schools aren’t meeting their child’s needs.

Read more here: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/nx-s1-5431521/supreme-court-disability-lawsuits-schools?fbclid=IwY2xjawK44IFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE3MmdUemFCbnJ6ZUVnZzZZAR7mRvBT-8G1lCydYS8BiQyou6Yqsm8Nu2x0FqdumXJEcbZY-q64zG-ZywjiEg_aem_F4S1P6-epo3qCAb_ptTuhg

Unanimous Supreme Court makes it easier to sue schools in disability cases Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the unanimous opinion, with Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson writing separate concurring opinions.

Check out this video from the Federation for Children with Special Needs

Discover the benefits of making sure students feel confident taking an active role in their IEP process.

Watch this 2-minute video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifdJ2I7Ixws&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_xukjjx8mgf

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network

Check out this video shared from the Federation for Children with Special Needs

Discover the benefits of making sure students feel confident taking an active role in their IEP process.

Watch this 2-minute video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifdJ2I7Ixws&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_xukjjx8mgf

Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network