First Amendment Rights in Schools

The Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case, decided by the Rehnquist Court in 1988, involved a dispute over student journalists' First Amendment rights. Students at Hazelwood East High School wrote articles on sensitive topics, which the principal removed from the school newspaper. The students sued, claiming a violation of their rights. The Supreme Court ruled that the principal's actions did not violate the First Amendment, as the school-sponsored paper was not a public forum and the school had an interest in maintaining its educational mission. This case set a precedent that students' rights in schools differ from those of adults.

In what year was the Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier case decided?

• 1992

• 1990

• 1988

• 1985

Which Supreme Court justice was NOT involved in the Hazelwood decision?

• Rehnquist

• White

• Stevens

• Marshall

What topics did the students write about that led to the principal's censorship?

• Teen pregnancy and divorce

• School sports and events

• Environmental issues

• Technology advancements

What action did the principal take regarding the student newspaper articles?

• Sent them to parents for approval

• Removed them without notice

• Moved them to a different section

• Published them with edits

Who led the lawsuit against the Hazelwood School District?

• The school board

• Kathy Kuhlmeier

• The journalism teacher

• The principal

What was the fundamental legal question in the Hazelwood case?

• Should the articles be published?

• Did the students break school rules?

• Was the newspaper a public forum?

• Did the principal violate the students' First Amendment rights?

Why did the court rule in favor of the principal's actions?

• The articles were factually incorrect

• The principal had no other choice

• The newspaper was school-sponsored

• The students agreed to the removal

What does the Hazelwood case say about students' First Amendment rights in schools?

• They are limited compared to adults'

• They are superior to adults'

• They are non-existent

• They are the same as adults'

What must schools consider when applying First Amendment rights?

• The local community standards

• The parents' views

• The educational mission

• The students' opinions

How did the court view the school newspaper in the Hazelwood case?

• As a commercial enterprise

• As a school-sponsored activity

• As a private publication

• As a public forum