The U.S. Supreme Court appeared sharply divided over the question of whether the main federal special education law allows parents to be reimbursed for the costs of experts when they prevail in legal proceedings. The case argued on April 19, 2006, asks whether a court may require a school district to pay the fees of an expert who assists parents when the parents win a legal dispute with the district over the educational plan provided for their child under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A ruling in this case is expected by July 2006.