Teacher’s and student’s rights court cases

A teacher's letter to the newspaper, a letter that criticized the school board, contained some false statements made because of incomplete research. The teacher was fired. The court determined that the teacher's letter neither seriously damaged the disciplined operation of the school, disclosed confidential information, nor contained any misstatements that were made knowingly or recklessly. Under the First Amendment, a teacher has the same rights as all other citizens to comment on issues of legitimate public concern, such as a school board's decisions in allocating funds

a local school board instructed that a prayer composed by the NY board of regents and recited allowed by every class. Prayer was nondenominational and voluntary. the court ruled it violated the first amendment and was not permitted. Wallace v. Jaffree (1985)

Alabama made a law that authorized a 1 minute period of silence in all public schools. supreme court ruled it violated the establishment clause. to determine if it was constitutional, court applied the three-part test (est. in Lemon v. Kurtzman 1971). was found religious and ruled unconstitutional. McCollum v. BOE (1948) allowed privately employed religious teachers to hold religious classes weekly. ruled unconstitutional b/c violated establishment clause BOE of the Westside Community Schools v. Mergens (1990) Good news club v. Milford Central Schools (2001) court allowed religious studies to be held at the school facilities by adults.

Kentucky state required the first 10 commandments to be posted in every classroom in the state. declared unconstitutional.

Epperson: court ruled that teaching evolution does not violate the first amendment's call for separation of church and state. Edwards: court declared policies requiring instruction in creationism violate first amendement

court affirmed that title IX protects teachers from discrimination based on sex

students do not shed constitutional rights at the school door.

students and teachers were required to salute the flag, but two Jehovah's Witness students refused because of religious beliefs. court determined students cannot be compelled to pledge of allegiance

found that the first amendment does not prevent school authorities from disciplining students for speech that is lewd and offensive

two articles in the school news paper, divorce and teen pregnancy, were deleted by the principal. supreme court ruled that the principal had the right to control its content, but could not censor it.

the board removed 9 books from the library because they felt they were improper for the students. court ruled the board cannot suppress ideas by removing books based on feelings of unpopular viewpoints

sever students were suspended from school for 10 days. supreme court ruled they must provide a hearing and present the student with charges to defend against the charges.

Florida statute allowed corporal punishment. two students were punished by being hit with a wooden paddle and later sued the schools. supreme court ruled that corporal punishment is not cruel and unusual and does not deprive the student of his/her rights

in a 6-3 ruling, the supreme court held that student led prayer at football games violated the U.S. constitution's prohibition against gov't establishment of religion.

school choice. court deemed unconstitutional. such law denied parents the right to control their children's education

court ruled that Texas could not withhold free public education from illegal immigrants because "education provides the basic tools by which individuals might lead economically productive lives to the benefit of us all."

ushered in a new era of school choice as the Court affirmed that parents could use public vouchers to send their children to private religious schools

a high school students that had a teacher-coach engaged behavior . court ruled that victims of sexual harassment and other forms of sex discrimination in schools may sue for monetary damages"