Legal, Ethical, and Policy Issues Related to Educational, Developmental, and Medical Services

Court Case
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Court Case
In 1988, Timothy W. appeared before the district court to seek a determination of whether he was eligible for special education even though he could not possibly benefit from it. The boy was born two months prematurely in 1975 with severe respiratory problems. Later, he developed additional health complications that left him multiply handicapped and profoundly mentally disabled (Circuit Judge, 1989). When he came of age, his mother managed to obtain some services for him from the Rochester Child Development Center. However, she could not get any education program from the Rochester School District, which prompted her to seek legal redress. The district court dismissed her case, ruling that the boy could not benefit from special education and was, therefore, not eligible. His mother appealed against the verdict to the circuit court.
Issues that Brought the Case to Court
The foremost issue that the circuit court had to deliberate on was whether the district court had erred in its ruling of the law. The latter had anchored its determination on the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA). In part, the Act stipulates that relevant authorities must determine whether the child in question can benefit from special education (Circuit Judge, 1989). This must precede the decision whether such a child qualifies for special education under the Act.
Further, the circuit court had the duty of deciding whether the district court misconstrued the Board of Education of Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley case of 1982. The latter had heavily relied on this case to decide Timothy’s fate. It had concluded that, as a matter of law, children were not entitled to public education unless they could benefit from it.
People Involved in the Case
The case involved Timothy M., a mentally disabled teenager who could not receive special education based on his condition. It also involved his mother, who filed the lawsuit on his behalf after unsuccessfully trying to enroll him in a school program. Additionally, the case involved the officials from Rochester School District as the re...