-
Plessy v. Ferguson
A man named Homer Plessy was arrested for riding on a whites-only train car. This was an orchestrated test case by the Comité des Citoyens and Plessy. The case made it all the way to the Supreme Court and ruled in favor of Ferguson. This was regarded as one of the worst decisions because it legitimized state laws establishing racial segregation in the South. The case established the separate but equal doctrine. -
Brown v. Board of Education
The public school district in Topeka, Kansas refused to enroll the daughter of Oliver Brown at the school closest to their home. It was a class action lawsuit by Mr. Brown and 12 other families versus the Board of Education. This ruling was seen by the Supreme Court where it was voted unanimously in favor of Mr. Brown and others. This court ruling basically overturned an old decision by the court. The south tried to make a plan to overrule the decision but the court told them they had no power. -
Cooper v. Aaron
The Arkansas School Board tried to delay desegregation for 30 months after Brown v. Board of Education. The Arkansas State Legislature amended their state constitution to oppose the desegregation process.The Supreme Court ruled that although he school was acting in good faith (laws were passed by the state), they still violated black students rights.Since the Supreme Court is the final interpreter of the constitution, no state could overrule it. -
Engel v. Vitale
The state of New York allowed public schools to encourage students to recite the pledge of allegiance and a small prayer before class started. The matter was brought up by some atheists and Jewish parents. The case was brought to the Supreme Court and they ruled in favor of Engal. The court ruled it was unconstitutional for school officials to create a prayer and encourage students to recite it due to the Establishment clause of the First Amendment -
Tinker v. Des Moines
5 students decided to wear black armbands to school in Iowa to protest the Vietnam war.The principals of the schools declared anyone wearing the armbands were to take it off immediately or face suspension. The ACLU helped the parents fight the ruling and the case made it to the Supreme Court where the court ruled in favor of the Tinker family. The Court said the actions of the Tinker family did not disrupt school and their activity was protected under symbolic speech under the 1st Amendment. -
Title IX
Title IX is a law that protects people from discrimination based on their sex for education programs or activities that receive federal money. Title IX was made as a follow-up to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.The Act did not protect sex discrimination against employers. Feminist lobbyed for Congress to add sex as a protected category. This was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. -
Goss v. Lopez
9 students including Dwight Lopez were given 10 day suspensions in school for destroying school property and disrupting the learning environment. The case went to the Supreme Court and was ruled in favor of Lopez. Public schools must now conduct a hearing before giving a student suspension. Suspension without hearing violates the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. -
Education for All Handicapped Children Act
This Act was created so that public schools receiving federal funding would be required to equal access to education and 1 meal a day to students with disabilities. The Act also made parents of disabled children be able to dispute decisions made about their children's education. The Act was signed into law by President Gerald Ford. In the 80s, President Reagan attempted to weaken the EHA and failed, but he did succeed to end the Social Security benefits of many disabled people. -
Plyler v. Doe
John Plyler, a superintendent wanted to charge $1000 to each student annually for lost funds for teaching illegal immigrants. The ruling went to the Supreme Court. The Court ruled in favor of John Doe. This case usually applies to K-12 schools. Some states passed statutes that deny illegal immigrants admission to public colleges and universities. -
New Jersey v. T.L.O.
A female student was caught smoking in the bathroom by a teacher. While searching her items, they found marijuana in her possession. Student claimed that the school violated her 4th Amendment rights and the case went all the way to the Supreme Court. The Court ruled in favor of the school. The Supreme Court said school officials do not need a warrant or probable cause to search a student but they must have reasonable suspicion. -
Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier
Two students writing an article for the school newspaper were censored by their principal. The students sued the school saying their 1st Amendment rights were violated. The case was taken to the Supreme Court and they sided with the school. The majority opinion set a precedent that school-sponsored activities like student newspapers are not protected from administrative censorship under the First Amendment. -
Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe
2 students and their mother sued the school for violating the Establishment Clause.They also wanted the school to prevent prayers from being offered at the graduation ceremony. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court and they ruled in favor of the students. According to the Court, the student-led prayer at the football games was unconstitutional. Using the schools public address system is considered public speech and is also looked to as the school giving the approval of such messages.