DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A federal judge’s ruling could mean more Iowa students with learning disabilities will qualify for special education programs. The Des Moines Register reports an administrative law judge ruled last year that Iowa education agencies violated the Disabilities Education Act by denying an Urbandale student’s access to special education classes. The student was denied services because she was performing well in her classes.
The Iowa Department of Education challenged the administrative judge’s ruling, but a federal judge affirmed the decision. Attorney Curt Sytsma, who represented the student, says students throughout Iowa could benefit from the ruling. Iowa Department of Education spokeswoman Staci Hupp says most students evaluated for special education already receive services so the ruling’s impact could be minimal.
The state will pay $317,769 in legal fees to the student’s lawyers.