Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v.

Rowley

Anna Bernauer

Introduction to Special Education 203

Exploration of Historical Foundations in Special Education: Landmark Court Case

September 28, 2017

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Landmark Court Case

Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley was a

historic case for special education. It helped to establish the definition of clauses within

Individuals with Disabilities Act. The case began in Peekskill, New York with a student named

Amy Rowley preparing for her kindergarten year. Amy was deaf, as well as her parents. Her

parents set up an IEP with her school administration. Based on her IEP she was to have an

interpreter. However, after only two weeks the interpreter told school administration that Amy

no longer needed his services. She relied on a hearing aid and lip-reading skills to get her

through the rest of the school year. After revaluating her IEP the school district denied what the

parents wanted for Amy, which was an interpreter. The Rowley's then filed a suit against her

school district. Because Amy wasn't able to understand classroom content the judge decided that

she was not receiving a free and appropriate education. However, it was decided that the intent of

FAPE was to open the door and help exceptional children 'benefit' from instruction rather than to

help them reach their full potential.

This was a landmark case because it gave a clearer definition of IDEA and FAPE. The

supreme court decision stated that Amy was given the same equal instruction that her fellow

students were. It also decided that school administrations are given the power to decide what

disabled students instructional needs require. The case also gave insight into what FAPE was

defined as. The case also provided school administrations and parents an idea into what the

grounds were for related services and who decided them.

Ultimately the case got to the supreme court by appeal. The school district was not

pleased that both the district court and second circuit ruled in Rowley's favor. In order to still

have a chance for a ruling in the school districts favor, they appealed to the Supreme Court.
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Ultimately, the case ended up in the supreme court because of an appeal made by the school

district. This is how many landmark cases make it to the supreme court.

In the end, Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District won in a

6-3 majority. Overall, many have different opinions on the case. Some believe that the Supreme

Court should have ruled in favor of Rowley as did the lower courts. However, no matter the

ruling this case helped to provide a greater understanding of IDEA and what is to be provided as

related services in an IEP. The case is a landmark case because of its definition of law it provides

for school administration, teachers, and parents.

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References

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. (2014, September 23). Board of Education of the
Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley. Retrieved September 28, 2017, from
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Board-of-Education-of-the-Hendrick-Hudson-Central-
School-District-v-Rowley