What was the significance of the Zobrest v. Catalina Foothills School District case?

The significance of the Zobrest v. Catalina Foothills School District case lies in its ruling that public schools are required to provide certain support services, including special education services, to students with disabilities attending private or religious schools. This decision reinforced the interpretation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which aims to ensure that children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education.

In this case, the Supreme Court decided that allowing a sign language interpreter to accompany a student at a religious school did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. The ruling highlighted the obligation of public schools to accommodate the needs of special education students regardless of their school enrollment status, further establishing the rights of students with disabilities to receive necessary educational support even when they choose to attend private institutions. This was a significant advancement in the rights afforded to students and their families under federal education law.