Cedar Rapids Community School Dist. v. Garret F.

Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F., 526 U.S. 66 (1999), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Court held that the related services provision in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) required the provision of certain supportive services for a ventilator-dependent child despite arguments from the school district concerning the costs of the services. Relying on a previous Supreme Court decision, Irving Independent School District v. Tatro, 468 U. S. 883 (1984), the Court in a seven to two decision continued to support the "bright line" rule stating that only medical services which must be provided by a physician are not required to be supplied by the school districts. This decision has been hailed by disability advocates as a substantial victory for families of children with disabilities while the Court's dissent noted that the decision "blindsides unwary states. The Court's decision has increased interest in IDEA funding. Amendments have been offered to S. 280, the Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999 to increase IDEA funding.