FTCE Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K-12 Practice Test

In Board of Education v. Rowley, what was the main ruling regarding educational services for a deaf child?

1. All students must have an interpreter

2. Parents can dictate all services provided

3. School districts must provide a basic level of opportunity

4. Services must be tailored to individual preferences

The correct answer is: School districts must provide a basic level of opportunity

The main ruling in Board of Education v. Rowley established that school districts are required to provide a basic level of educational opportunity to students with disabilities, including those who are deaf. The court concluded that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates that students receive access to an appropriate education that meets their unique needs, but it does not require schools to maximize each child's potential or provide every possible service. This means that while the educational services offered should be adequate, they do not have to be exhaustive or tailored to every individual preference, which aligns with the notion that there is a baseline level of support that must be met. This ruling reaffirmed the importance of accessibility in education without creating an obligation to fulfill all possible requests from parents or students.