Significant Court Cases and Their Rulings

What was the ruling of the Brown v Board of Education case?

• Segregation is legal

• Separate but equal is unconstitutional

• Jury exclusion is allowed

• School funding must be equitable.

Answer explanation

The ruling in Brown v. Board of Education declared that the doctrine of 'separate but equal' is unconstitutional, effectively ending racial segregation in public schools.

In the case of Delgado v Bastrop ISD, the court declared that segregation of Mexican-American children in schools in Texas is ______.

• legal

• illegal

• optional

• encouraged

Answer explanation

In Delgado v Bastrop ISD, the court ruled that the segregation of Mexican-American children in Texas schools is illegal, affirming that such practices violate the rights of these students.

The Edgewood ISD v Kirby case decided that schools must revise their funding system to be ______.

• equitable

• unequal

• segregated

• private

Answer explanation

The Edgewood ISD v Kirby case mandated that schools revise their funding system to be equitable, ensuring fair distribution of resources among all students, rather than being unequal, segregated, or private.

What was the decision in Hernandez v Texas regarding jury selection?

• A) Mexican-Americans can be excluded

• B) Mexican-Americans cannot be excluded

• C) Only whites can serve

• D) Jury selection is random.

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court ruled in Hernandez v. Texas that excluding Mexican-Americans from jury selection violated the Equal Protection Clause, affirming that they cannot be excluded from juries.

The Mendez v Westminster case decided that segregation of Mexican-American children without specific state law is ______.

• constitutional

• unconstitutional

• mandatory

• optional

Answer explanation

The Mendez v Westminster case ruled that segregation of Mexican-American children without a specific state law is unconstitutional, as it violates the principle of equal protection under the law.

What was the ruling in Plessy v Ferguson regarding facilities for blacks and whites?

• Separate but equal is constitutional

• Segregation is illegal

• Facilities must be integrated

• Only whites can use public facilities.

Answer explanation

The ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson established that racial segregation was constitutional under the doctrine of 'separate but equal,' allowing for separate facilities for blacks and whites as long as they were deemed equal.

The Sweatt v Painter case ruled that the 14th amendment's equal protection clause allowed ______ to attend UT Law School.

• Herman Sweatt

• only whites

• no one

• all students

Answer explanation

The Sweatt v Painter case ruled that the 14th amendment's equal protection clause allowed Herman Sweatt, an African American, to attend UT Law School, challenging segregation in education.

In Tinker v Des Moines, the court ruled that student and teacher constitutional rights are protected as long as they do not interfere with ______.

• A) education of others

• B) school funding

• C) segregation laws

• D) jury selection

Answer explanation

In Tinker v Des Moines, the court emphasized that students' and teachers' rights are protected as long as their actions do not disrupt the education of others, making A) education of others the correct choice.

What did the Supreme Court declare in White v Regester regarding the 1970 reapportionment plan?

• It was constitutional

• It was unconstitutional

• It was mandatory

• It was optional

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court declared the 1970 reapportionment plan in White v Regester unconstitutional due to its violation of the principle of equal representation, highlighting the need for fair districting.

The Wisconsin v Yoder case ruled that in regards to compulsory attendance laws, Amish had the right to ______.

• attend public school

• educate their children at home

• ignore education

• attend private school

Answer explanation

The Wisconsin v Yoder case established that Amish parents have the right to educate their children at home, exempting them from compulsory public schooling laws due to their religious beliefs.