Student Rights and School Publications

In 1983, Hazelwood East High School's journalism class faced censorship when Principal Reynolds removed articles on teen pregnancy and divorce from the school paper, citing privacy concerns. This led to a legal battle with the ACLU, arguing it violated students' First Amendment rights. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the school, stating the paper was an educational tool, not a public forum. The decision highlighted the school's authority to censor content for educational purposes, while affirming students' rights to non-disruptive individual expression.

What was the primary purpose of the journalism class at Hazelwood East High School?

• To promote school events

• To compete with local newspapers

• To provide an educational experience

• To publish a professional newspaper

Why did Principal Reynolds decide to remove certain articles from The Spectrum?

• They were poorly written

• They contained controversial topics

• They were too long

• They were not approved by the school board

What action did student editor Kathy Coolmeyer take in response to the removal of articles?

• She rewrote the articles

• She resigned from the paper

• She organized a protest

• She sued the school district

What was Principal Reynolds' main argument for removing the articles?

• They were not in line with school policies

• They were too expensive to print

• They violated student privacy

• They were not newsworthy

What was the ACLU's argument against the removal of the articles?

• The articles were plagiarized

• The articles were disruptive

• The articles were defamatory

• The articles represented valid student perspectives

What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding the case?

• The case was dismissed

• The decision was postponed

• In favor of the school district

• In favor of the students

Why did the Supreme Court rule in favor of the school district?

• The students did not have legal representation

• The paper was considered a public forum

• The articles were deemed inappropriate

• The paper was part of an educational experience

What does the Supreme Court say about students' rights to expression in schools?

• Students can only express themselves in designated areas

• Students have no rights to expression

• Students can express themselves freely without restrictions

• Students have rights as long as it is not disruptive

What precedent was referenced regarding students' rights to expression?

• Tinker v. Des Moines

• Brown v. Board of Education

• Miranda v. Arizona

• Roe v. Wade

What symbolic protest was allowed in the Tinker v. Des Moines case?

• Chanting slogans

• Distributing flyers

• Wearing a black armband

• Carrying protest signs