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Yesenia Guzman

College of Southern Nevada

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Debbie Young, a high school principal, was once a special education

teacher and assistant principal in a progressive school district in the South. The

parents of a heavily disabled tenth-grade student, Jonathan, asked Young if he

could attend a school in the district. Because Jonathan has multiple disabilities

that require the constant care by a trained nurse, is mentally disabled, has

spastic quadriplegia, and a seizure disorder. Debbie Young does not believe it is

the best idea to include Jonathan in the school district because it requires a lot of

extra money to support him, and that the school is not the most appropriate place

for him.

Debbie Young’s statement is defensible. If the principal feels that they do

not have the money to provide all the services for children with special needs,

they don’t have to. In Chapter 8 (page 143), the Board of Education v. Rowley

(1982) helps defend Young’s actions. In the case, Amy Rowley, a dead student,

had been receiving assistance all throughout her first year in school, such as

hearings aids. She also received a tutor and speech therapist that would help her

with her school assignments. Her parents wanted the school to provide her with a

sign language interpreter. However, The Supreme Court decided that the school

did not have to provide the best education, but a reasonable one that could help

benefit her. With that being said, Debbie Young does not need to provide

Jonathan with extra assistance.

Another example to defend Debbie Young is in Chapter 8 (page 144). In

the LT v. Warwick School Committee (2004) court case, the district was offering

self-contained classrooms that used modified techniques to help autistic or

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communication-handicapped children. The parents rejected the techniques and

wanted different techniques. However, The First Circuit Court of Appeals decided

that an autistic student is not entitled to the preferred wants of a parent. In

Debbie Young’s case, the parents preferred Jonathan to be in that district, but

schools are not required to make adjustments because of the parent’s

preferences.

Debbie Young’s decision is not defensible. On page 154 of chapter 8,

Cedar Rapids Independent School District v. Garrett F. (1999) showed an

example that if the student needs a nurse for medical reasons, the school district

can fund it. In the court case, continuing nurse care was needed for a

quadriplegic student during school. The court decided that it was a related

service and the school is obligated to pay. In Jonathan’s case, he has spastic

quadriplegia, and a seizure disorder, so that means that the school should

provide him with an nurse.

In Chapter 8 (page 153), Irving Independent School District v. Tatro shows

that the child must have a disability that qualifies under IDEA so that he/she can

be eligible for related services. The court decided that the CIC was related to the

student receiving an education. Jonathan has multiple disabilities that require

related services. Therefore, Debbie Young cannot deny those services from

being provided because of money.

I support Jonathan and his parents in this case. Debbie Young does not

have the right to deny Jonathan from proper education because of his special

needs conditions. The Cedar Rapids Independent School District v. Garret F

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(1999) case proved that a nurse can be provided if the student’s condition

qualifies under related services, which Jonathan does. The Irving Independent

School District v. Tatro case also supports related services as a reason to provide

assistance to those who qualify. Since Jonathan is spastic quadriplegia, and has

a seizure disorder, he qualifies.

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References

Board of Education v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982)

Board of Educ. v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://

supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/458/176/

LT v. Warwick School Committee, 624 A.2d 849, (2004)

FindLaw's United States First Circuit case and opinions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://

caselaw.findlaw.com/us-1st-circuit/1241530.html

Cedar Rapids Community School Dist. v. Garret F., 525 U.S. 66, (1999)

Osborne, A. G. (2018, February 24). Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret

F. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cedar-Rapids-Community-

School-District-v-Garret-F

Irving Independent School District v. Tatro (1984)

Umpstead, R. R. (2018, June 28). Irving Independent School District v. Tatro. Retrieved

from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Irving-Independent-School-District-v-

Tatro