What was the outcome of the Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District vs. Rowley case?

The outcome of the Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District vs. Rowley case established a precedent regarding the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Supreme Court held that the school district had provided a satisfactory educational program for a deaf student, which allowed for appropriate progress in the context of the student's abilities and needs. Consequently, the court ruled that the school was not required to provide a sign language interpreter, as the student was already making meaningful educational progress without one. This case clarified that FAPE does not necessarily require the provision of the most optimal educational tools or services, but rather services that enable students to make substantive progress. The decision had a significant influence on how schools interpret and implement special education services, emphasizing that progress must be gauged in relation to the individual student’s potential and the educational context.