CEDAR RAPIDS COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT V. GARRET F.: THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT AND RELATED SERVICES (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
March 5, 1999 |
| Report Number |
RS20104 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Nancy Lee Jones, American Law Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Supreme Court in Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. held
that the related
services provision in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) required the provision
of certain supportive services for a ventilator dependent child despite arguments from the school
district concerning the costs of the services. Relying on a previous Supreme Court decision,
Irving
Independent School District v. Tatro, 468 U.S. 883 (1984), the Court in a seven to two
decision continued to support the "bright line" rule stating that only medical services which must be
provided by a physician are not required to be supplied by the school districts. This decision has been
hailed by disability advocates as a substantial victory for families of children with disabilities while the
Court's dissent noted that the decision "blindsides unwary states with fiscal obligations they could not
have anticipated."
The Court's decision has increased interest in IDEA funding. Amendments have been offered
to S. 280 , the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 to increase IDEA funding.
