FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2017
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Albuquerque, NM – The United States Supreme Court unanimously agreed with New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, and attorneys general from Delaware and Massachusetts, when it issued its ruling today in the Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District case by requiring public schools to provide higher standards for students with disabilities. The ruling reverses what had been the law in New Mexico, and now educational plans for students with disabilities must be designed so that students can make educational progress, rather than the barely more than minimal advancement that was permitted by previous law.
“This is a huge victory for New Mexico students with disabilities and the ruling will help ensure they can participate more fully in school in order to receive the education they deserve,” Attorney General Balderas said. “No child should be deprived of their constitutional right to a quality, public education, and our students should be given every tool they need to succeed.”
The Supreme Court agreed with the states’ argument that the highest level of educational benefit for children with disabilities currently recognized by federal courts of appeal is the correct level for all of the nation’s children with disabilities in order to ensure that the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act’s ideals of equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency are fulfilled.
Here is a link to the Supreme Court opinion – https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/16pdf/15-827_0pm1.pdf
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