School districts in Montana now have a mandate to provide students with disabilities a “free and appropriate public education” up to age 22, or until they graduate with a regular high school diploma, thanks to an Aug. 13 settlement in a class action lawsuit involving a student from Glacier High School.

U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen approved the Aug. 13 settlement between plaintiff Disability Rights Montana and defendants Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen and Gov. Greg Gianforte. Montana is the last state to fall in line with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements to educate students with disabilities in public schools up to age 22. The IDEA provides states with federal funding for special education and students with disabilities.

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