A. J. T. v. Osseo Area Schools, Independent School Dist. No. 279

Summary

Chief Justice Roberts, writing for a unanimous Court, held that schoolchildren bringing ADA and Rehabilitation Act claims related to educational services are subject to the same standards as other disability-discrimination plaintiffs and need not meet the education-specific “bad faith or gross misjudgment” standard. The Court concluded that this heightened standard conflicts with IDEA §1415(l), and declined to consider the District’s broader argument that intent is required for all such claims because it was outside the question presented and had not been resolved below. Justice Thomas, joined by Justice Kavanaugh, concurred, agreeing with the holding while noting that the District’s broader statutory and constitutional arguments warrant consideration in a future case. Justice Sotomayor, joined by Justice Jackson, concurred, emphasizing that the statutes do not require improper purpose or animus.