On December 7, 2017, the United States Department of Education ("U.S. DOE") published a document aiming to help parents and other stakeholders better understand the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District, 137 S. Ct. 988.
In Endrew F., the Court interpreted the free appropriate public education ("FAPE") requirement in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ("IDEA") to mean that "a school must offer an IEP [individualized education program] that is reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances." The Court further emphasized that "every child should have a chance to meet challenging objectives."
This new Q&A document explains that Endrew F. defined a uniform FAPE standard for all students under IDEA. The U.S. DOE further states that the "chance to meet challenging objectives" requirement applies to both challenging State academic content standards and ambitious goals based on the unique circumstances of the child. Finally, the U.S. DOE assures parents that the Endrew F. decision did not affect parents' due process rights under IDEA.
If you live in Massachusetts and have a question about your child's IEP and progress, contact Wong & Boscarine, LLC . Attorneys Wong and Boscarine represent students in the greater Boston area and throughout Massachusetts.