Progress in special education
Endrew F. v. Douglas County School Dist. RE–1
In brief
The Supreme Court wiped out the appeals court’s ruling and sent Endrew F.’s case back, without deciding how much educational progress his school had to provide.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 8-0 · March 22, 2017 · Opinion by Chief Justice Roberts
- What it’s about
- Endrew F.’s case concerned what level of educational progress school districts must plan for children with disabilities under the IDEA.
- Who it affects
- The Tenth Circuit’s ruling no longer stands, and Endrew F.’s case returns to that court; the Supreme Court did not decide what educational benefit was required for him.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
The Supreme Court wiped out the appeals court’s ruling (vacated it) and sent the case back to the lower court (remanded it); this procedural action did not decide that question in this case.
The IDEA promises children with disabilities a free appropriate public education; this dispute focused on how much progress a school plan must support.
Question presented
What is the level of educational benefit that school districts must confer on children with disabilities to provide them with the free appropriate public education guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq?
What the Court decided
Holding
To meet its substantive obligation under the IDEA, a school must offer an IEP reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child’s circumstances. 798 F. 3d 1329, vacated and remanded.
- Result
- Vacated
The vote
What's next
The case returns to the Tenth Circuit for another look.
Documents
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
Show 5 moreShow fewer
AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Opinion added: Opinion
Brief added: Questions Presented
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.