Opinion of the Court Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
justice william rehnquist wrote majority. on june 28, 1982 court handed down 6-3 decision in favor of petitioners. justice william rehnquist wrote majority, justice byron white writing principle dissent joined justices william brennan, jr. , thurgood marshall. court answered 2 questions: meant act s requirement of free appropriate public education ? , role of state , federal courts in exercising review granted 20 u.s.c. § 1415? the court held both district , appeals courts wrong in contention intent of law provide handicapped children s full potentials rather give them access. overruled district court s finding act not define appropriate education , justice rehnquist quoting text of statute itself: term free appropriate public education means special education , related services followed further definitions of terms. instead, text of legislation , legislative intent show purpose of law not allow each child achieve full potential, provide sufficient resources handicapped childr...