A federal district court approved a settlement dictating that Montana students with individualized education programs are eligible for public education up to the age of 22.

In the Aug. 13 settlement between Disability Rights Montana and the state, the Montana Office of Public Instruction must offer students with disabilities access to public education past the age of 18.

A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals case in Hawaii from 2013 established a parallel precedent. Most states maintain a similar policy.

Montana federal Judge Dana Christensen approved the settlement, which mandates that the Montana Office of Public Instruction offer re-enrollment to students with individualized education plans who graduated without a diploma in the spring of 2025. The special enrollment period ends 30 day

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