Spec Ed

Finally got to reading the Arlington Central School District v. Murphy case (pdf). Punchline is that school districts don’t have to reimburse parents for the costs of experts under IDEA when the parents prevail (the districts have to pay attorney fees now and this case turned on whether or not experts were included). Broader implications: Seems to me this is far from a spending clause slam dunk as it relates to the ongoing NCLB litigation and it’s a showcase of legislative history v. original meaning. Useful analysis of the case in NSBA’s Legal Clips, which they inexplicably don’t make available online in a way you can link to, it’s usually a great product. More here and here from SCOTUSblog.

Update: NSBA has kindly put this week’s issue up on the web for you!