Supreme Court and Education Law

The Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established the principle of "separate but equal" facilities for black and white students. This principle was overturned by the Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954).

The Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) declared that racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. This decision overturned the Court's previous decision in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), which had established the principle of "separate but equal" facilities for black and white students.

The Supreme Court's decision in Edwards v. Aguillard (1987) held that states could not require public schools to teach creationism. The Court found that creationism is a religious belief, and that teaching it in public schools would violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court's decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) held that students have a right to free speech in public schools. The Court found that students' right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment, and that schools may only restrict students' speech if it is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational process.

The Supreme Court's decision in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) held that schools may not censor student speech based on its content. The Court found that schools may only restrict students' speech if it is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational process, or if it is vulgar or obscene.

The Supreme Court's decision in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) held that schools may not punish students for wearing religious clothing or symbols. The Court found that students' right to free exercise of religion is protected by the First Amendment, and that schools may only restrict students' religious expression if it is likely to cause a substantial disruption to the educational process.

The Supreme Court's decision in Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley (1982) held that schools may not discriminate against students with disabilities. The Court found that students with disabilities have a right to a free and appropriate public education, and that schools must provide them with the services and accommodations they need to succeed in school.

The Supreme Court's decision in Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 (2007) held that schools may not use race as a factor in assigning students to schools. The Court found that the use of race in school assignments is unconstitutional, because it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

The Supreme Court's decision in San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez (1973) held that schools may not charge students tuition for attending school. The Court found that the charging of tuition would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, because it would discriminate against poor students.

The Supreme Court's decision in Mills v. Board of Education of the District of Columbia (1972) held that states must provide funding for special education services. The Court found that the failure to provide funding for special education services would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, because it would discriminate against students with disabilities.

The Supreme Court's decision in Goss v. Lopez (1975) held that schools may not expel students for misconduct without providing them with due process. The Court found that the expulsion of a student from school is a significant deprivation of liberty, and that students are entitled to due process before they can be expelled.

The Supreme Court's decision in Ingraham v. Wright (1977) held that schools may not use corporal punishment to discipline students. The Court found that the use of corporal punishment is a cruel and unusual punishment, and that it violates the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.

The Supreme Court's decision in Engel v. Vitale (1962) held that schools may not require students to participate in religious activities. The Court found that the required recitation of a prayer in public schools violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court's decision in Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe (2000) held that schools may not prohibit students from engaging in silent prayer. The Court found that the prohibition of silent prayer violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.