U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Two Major School Cases
Source: http://www.ohioschoolboards.org
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Mahmoud v. Taylor and A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools, two significant cases that could impact school policies nationwide. These cases address religious rights in education and disability discrimination standards, making them critical for educators and policymakers to follow.
Mahmoud v. Taylor
🔹 Key Issue: Whether public schools violate parents’ religious rights by requiring elementary students to participate in instruction on gender and sexuality without notice or an opt-out option.
In 2022, Montgomery County Public Schools (MD) approved LGBTQ+ storybooks as part of its English Language Arts curriculum. Initially, parents could opt their children out of lessons involving these books, but in March 2023, the district eliminated that option. Several parents challenged the decision, arguing it violated their religious freedom and due process rights to direct their children’s education.
Lower courts ruled in favor of the school district, stating that mere exposure to the books did not force students to act against their religious beliefs. The parents have now taken their case to the Supreme Court, seeking a ruling on whether they should have the right to opt out.
A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools
🔹 Key Issue: Whether students with disabilities must meet a high legal threshold of “bad faith or gross misjudgment” when pursuing claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
A.J.T., a student with severe epilepsy, cannot attend school until noon due to her condition. Her family requested evening instruction to match her peers’ school hours, but the district denied the request. They sued under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA, but lower courts ruled in favor of the district, stating it did not act with bad faith or gross misjudgment—a strict standard set by past court rulings.
A.J.T.’s family argues that this standard is not part of the ADA’s actual text, and courts have been divided on whether to apply it. The Supreme Court will now decide whether a less stringent standard should be used when evaluating disability discrimination claims in education.
What’s Next?
Oral arguments are expected in spring 2025, with a ruling likely by late June. The decisions in these cases could shape religious rights in schools and disability protections for students for years to come.
Read more of the story here: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/u-s-supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-two-school-cases/
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