💼 A Supreme Win for Our Kids: What the New Ruling Means for Special Education Families

“You shouldn't have to prove bad faith to prove your child was hurt.”

If you’ve ever tried to hold your school district accountable for failing your child with disabilities, you know the pain of hitting a wall — being told you don’t have enough evidence, or that harm doesn’t “count” unless it was intentional.

For years, families bringing civil rights claims under the ADA or Section 504 in education settings had to meet an unfair standard. You had to prove that school staff acted with “bad faith or gross misjudgment” — an impossibly high bar that has denied justice to countless children.

But as of today, that ends.

📣 A 9-0 Supreme Court Ruling Changes the Game

On June 12, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools that students with disabilities are entitled to the same legal standards as other individuals when bringing discrimination claims under the ADA and Section 504 — even in school.

This ruling affirms that the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) does not limit the rights of students and families to pursue justice under other federal anti-discrimination laws.

Here’s what the Court said:

“The bad faith or gross misjudgment rule… is irreconcilable with the unambiguous directive of IDEA. In imposing a higher bar for education-related discrimination claims, the Eighth Circuit effectively limited the ability of disabled schoolchildren to vindicate their rights.”

Translation?

The courts just handed us back the power we were never supposed to lose.

What Does This Mean for Families Like Ours?

This isn’t just a legal technicality — it’s a lifeline for families who have struggled for years to have their children’s rights acknowledged.

Here’s what’s different now:

✅ You no longer have to prove intent to harm.

You don’t need to show “bad faith.” It’s enough to prove that the school acted with deliberate indifference — that they knew harm could happen and did nothing.

✅ Discrimination claims can now move forward.

Families can seek injunctive relief (like forcing schools to make changes), and even compensatory damages in some cases.

✅ The standard is fairer.

This ruling aligns school discrimination cases with the way disability rights are handled everywhere else in society — no more loopholes just because it happens in education.

Why It Matters (And Why We Celebrate)

I work with moms every day who are exhausted from the fight — not just with their kids’ disabilities, but with the systems that were supposed to help.

This ruling is a long-overdue recognition that our kids deserve real protections. That schools are accountable. That families don’t have to accept discrimination as the norm. It’s also a powerful reminder: Our voices matter.

This decision wouldn’t have happened without advocates like Amy Goetz, who represented the family in this case, and organizations like COPAA who submitted briefs on behalf of families like yours and mine.

🔗 What Should You Do Next?

Know your rights. If your child is being denied support or is experiencing discrimination, this ruling gives you more tools to fight back.

Bookmark this case. A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools will become a foundational part of special education advocacy moving forward.

Join our movement. At Wisdom 4 Complex Kids, we help parents learn how to navigate the system with clarity, confidence, and a community behind them.

💛 You’re Not Alone

This ruling is a huge victory — but the work continues. And you don’t have to do it alone.

We’re building a movement where every parent feels seen, supported, and strong enough to advocate — no matter what diagnosis or challenge their child faces.

This isn’t just legal progress. It’s personal. It’s powerful. It’s for all of us.