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Homer Plessy challenged the 1890 Louisiana law that required separate train cars based on race. He was arrested when told to vacate the train and the trial went to the Supreme Court. The decision was 7-1 which stated the different accommodations do not violate the Equal Protection Clause under Fourteenth Amendment. Although his rights were violated Plessy's argument was rejected and led to the establishment of "separate but equal doctrine" which became the constitutional basis for segregation.
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The case was raised by Oliver Brown with the segregation of public schools based on race. Such cases were on the rise in Kansas, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington D.C. African Americans were denied attendance to certain public schools and education. The argument was that it violated the Equal Protection clause of the fourteenth amendment. The case was finalized on May 17 1954 and decided that "separate but equal" would be removed from schools.
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New York State Board of Regents authorized voluntary prayer at the start of each school day. A group of organizations challenged the prayer as it violated First Amendment. The supreme court stated that the state cannot hold prayers in public schools. This is even if participation is not required and the prayer is not tied to a religion. The Court found the provision of daily prayer was inconsistent with the Establishment Clause.
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The Title IX law was passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972. This title prohibits sex-based discrimination in education programs that receive money. This was based on female students wanting to play sports and being restricted because of boys only tryouts. The title allowed girls to play sports for their schools without being discriminated against from applying.
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The case is about nine students at two different high schools in Ohio that received 10-day suspensions from school. The principals did not hold any hearings for affected students before ordering suspension. The actions were challenged and the court found students' rights violated. The court ruled that it was taking away education from students without minimum procedures to Due Process Clause. The court found students facing suspension need a hearing.
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The act was enacted by the United States Congress in 1975. The act required schools to accept funds to provide equal access to children with physical and mental disabilities. The act also required schools to provide procedures so parents of disabled children can dispute decisions about their children's education. The law ensured that children can be provided a good education and alleviate financial burdens. The program also guaranteed services towards children were appropriate.
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in 1975 the state of Texas passed laws that would stop school district funding for educating children of illegal aliens. This was decided in Texas v. Certain Named and Unnamed Alien Child. The Supreme Court ruled that illegal alien although not citizens are people deserve protection under Fourteenth Amendment. The state law would disadvantage children and deny them the right to education. The court struck down the law with a 5-4 decision allowing children to go to school.
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T.L.O. was a high school student whose purse was searched suspecting she had cigarettes. The officials discovered cigarettes and marijuana and were charged with possession of marijuana. The Supreme Court found that while the Fourth Amendment prohibits search and seizure it can be conducted under probable cause. The court held the search of T.L.O. was reasonable under the circumstances.
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During a school assembly of 600 high school students, Fraser made a speech that used graphic sexual metaphors. The Bethel High School enforced a rule prohibiting foul or obscene language. The student was suspended for two days for his actions. The Supreme Court found that it was appropriate for schools to prohibit the use of vulgar and offensive language. The first amendment did not prohibit schools from prohibiting vulgar speech.
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The school-sponsored newspaper of Hazelwood East High school was written and edited by students. The principal found two articles to be inappropriate and wanted them withheld from publication. The court was brought to the Supreme Court for a decision. The ruling was 5-3 that the First Amendment did not require schools to affirmatively promote particular types of student speech. Schools must be able to set high standards for student speech disseminated under their supervision.
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The Drug testing policy adopted by Oklahoma required all middle and high school students to consent to urinalysis to participate in sports. Two students and parents brought up the policy violates the Fourth Amendment. The Supreme Court decided 5-4 that it was reasonable and served the School District interest in preventing drug use by students. The court also concluded that the drug test was minimally intrusive on student's privacy.
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In 1997 Grutter was a white resident of Michigan that applied for admission to Michigan Law School. The Law school denied her and used race as a factor for making decisions. The Law school does this in promoting diversity and use race in its admissions process. The Supreme Court concluded that the Equal Protection Clause does not prohibit Law School to use race in admissions decisions. The Law School's race-conscious admissions do not harm nonminority applications.
