-
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette
A rule was upheld in West Virginia public schools, saying that students and teacher must salute the flag during school activities. Children belonging to Jehovah's Witness did not want to participate, and parents argued on their behalf. It was declared unconstitutional (in a 6-3 ruling) to make students and teachers participate.
Link text -
Engel v. Vitale
A law established in New York allowed schools to hold a religious (yet unaffiliated) prayer at the beginning of the school day. It was argued that this went against the First Amendment. In a 6-1 vote, the Supreme Court declared that it was unconstitutional to hold a prayer, regardless of whether or not the prayer was religiously unaffiliated. Link text -
Tinker v. Des Moines
Students wore arm bands to protest against the Vietnam War. The school threatened to suspend students if they participated. In a Supreme Court ruling of 7-2, it was determined that students cannot be punished for expressing their first amendment rights in a peaceful manner.
Link Text -
Bethel School District v. Fraser
Matthew Fraser nominated a friend for a position in a student-government organization at an assembly. He used explicit language and sexual metaphors. Fraser was suspended for 2 days as concern grew about whether or not his language was appropriate in a school setting. The Supreme Court ruled 6-2, saying that the school was allowed to take action and that Matthew's First Amendment Rights were invalid.
Link text -
Morse v. Fredrick
A student named Joseph Fredrick held up a sign that said "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at a school related event. The Principal (Deborah Morse) punished Fredrick because it was against school policies to promote illegal drugs like marijuana. In a ruling of 5-4, it was declared that students could exercise some rights; however, a student cannot display messages of illegality.
Link
