Fact Check: "The Supreme Court found that lawsuits against schools should have the same requirements as other disability discrimination claims."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous ruling that clarified the standards for lawsuits against schools regarding disability discrimination. The court determined that students with disabilities do not need to meet a higher standard of proof than other plaintiffs in discrimination cases. This decision arose from a case involving Ava Tharpe, a student with severe disabilities, whose school did not accommodate her educational needs adequately. The Eighth Circuit Court had previously ruled that the Tharpe family did not meet the high burden of proving "bad faith" or "gross misjudgment" by the school district, which the Supreme Court reversed, stating that such a requirement was inappropriate (NPR, SCOTUS Blog).
The ruling emphasized that the challenges faced by students with disabilities should not include a more stringent standard of proof than that applied to other discrimination claims. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that the decision is significant for many children with disabilities, as it provides them with the necessary legal tools to enforce their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws (USA Today, Education Week).
Analysis
The Supreme Court's ruling is a pivotal moment in disability rights law, as it aligns the standards for school lawsuits with those applicable to other discrimination cases. The unanimous decision indicates a strong consensus among justices regarding the importance of equitable treatment for students with disabilities. The court's opinion highlighted that the previous requirement for a higher standard of proof was not only burdensome but also potentially detrimental to the rights of disabled students (New York Times, National Law Review).
The sources cited in this analysis are credible and authoritative. NPR, The New York Times, and SCOTUS Blog are well-respected outlets known for their in-depth legal reporting and analysis. The unanimous nature of the ruling adds weight to its significance, as it reflects a collective judicial understanding of the need for accessible education for all students, regardless of disability (NPR, SCOTUS Blog).
However, it is important to note that while the court did not specify what the new standard of proof should be, the language used in the opinion suggests that Congress has already provided guidance through existing laws. This indicates that the ruling not only addresses the immediate case but also sets a precedent for future cases involving disability discrimination in educational settings (USA Today, Education Week).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "the Supreme Court found that lawsuits against schools should have the same requirements as other disability discrimination claims" is accurate. The unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court indeed established that students with disabilities are not subject to a higher standard of proof than other plaintiffs in discrimination cases. This decision is a significant step toward ensuring equal access to education for all students, reinforcing the legal framework protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities.
Sources
- PDF Supreme Court of The United States
- Supreme Court Sides With Teenager in School Disability Discrimination
- Unanimous Supreme Court makes it easier to sue schools
- Unanimous court rebuffs higher standard for discrimination claims by children with disabilities
- Supreme Court makes it easier to sue schools in disability cases
- Supreme Court Decision Lets Students Sue Schools More Easily for Disability Bias
- Supreme Court Lowers Burden in Disability Discrimination
- Supreme Court win for girl with epilepsy expected to make disability lawsuits against schools easier
