Timely Connections: Constitutional Rights of Students

Tinker v. Des Moines

Every year the United States celebrates Constitution Day on September 17. How much do you know about U.S. constitutional rights? Did you know that those rights are different in the context of public schools? School officials have significant leeway when instituting and enforcing rules to maintain a safe environment conducive to learning but, over the years, the Supreme Court has weighed in on the balance of students’ constitutional rights as U.S. citizens and as public school students. What can you learn from the court cases and web resources linked to below?

First Amendment: Freedom of Speech

First Amendment: Freedom of Press

First Amendment: Establishment Clause

Fourth Amendment: Search & Seizure

Fifth Amendment: Self-incrimination

Eighth Amendment: Cruel & Unusual Punishment

Fourteenth Amendment: Due Process

Fourteenth Amendment: Equal Protection

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