Forest Grove School District v. T.A. (2009)

Primary Disability: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Specific Learning Disabilities

A student with a learning disability was denied special education services. His parents took him out of the Forest Grove School District and placed him in a private setting, and actively sought reimbursement. The Supreme Court ruled that the district must reimburse the parents if it failed to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and the private placement is appropriate (Zirkel, 2020).

Overall Impact on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

This case strengthened parental rights and accountability by requiring districts to be financially responsible when they fail to identify and appropriately serve students with disabilities (Zirkel, 2020).

For More Information: https://www.oyez.org/cases/2008/08-305

Zirkel, P. A. (2020). An updated primer of special education law. Teaching Exceptional Children, 52(4), 261–265. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040059919878671