526 U.S. 66 (1999)
Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F.
Does the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) require a public school district to provide one-on-one nursing services for a student with disabilities if such services are necessary for the student to attend school?
Under IDEA, public schools are required to provide 'related services' necessary for children with disabilities to benefit from special education, unless such services are considered medical services that must be performed by a physician.
The Supreme Court held that the Cedar Rapids Community School District must provide the one-on-one nursing services required by Garret F. during school hours as a related service under IDEA, as these were supportive services necessary for him to benefit from public education.
This decision significantly extends the understanding of IDEA, solidifying the requirement for schools to furnish supportive services regardless of cost considerations, thereby reinforcing educational rights for children with severe disabilities. Law students studying this case will gain an in-depth understanding of how statutory interpretation affects the implementation of educational policy, particularly in balancing educational pragmatism with legal mandates to provide equitable educational opportunities for all students.