Court Cases Flashcards Ch. 19 Sec. 2

Questions and Answers

What was the outcome of Pierce v. Society of Sisters in 1925?

The law was upheld.

Parents could choose any school.

The case was dismissed.

The law was found unconstitutional. (correct)

What did Everson v. Board of Education (1947) uphold?

A state law providing public, tax-supported busing for students attending any school.

Stone v. Graham (1980) upheld a Kentucky law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms.

False

What was the purpose of Alabama's 'moment of silence' law in Wallace v. Jaffree (1985)?

To provide a one-minute period of silence for meditation or voluntary prayer at the beginning of each school day. Signup and view all the answers

In Westside Community Schools v. Mergens (1990), students were allowed to form a Christian Club.

True Signup and view all the answers

What did Lynch v. Donnelly (1984) allow in seasonal displays?

Religious and nonreligious objects could be included. Signup and view all the answers

What did Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) address regarding the establishment clause?

It aims to prevent sponsorship, financial support, and active involvement of the sovereign in religious activity. Signup and view all the answers

Reynolds v. U.S. (1879) legalized polygamy for Mormons.

False Signup and view all the answers

West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) upheld a compulsory flag-salute law.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Court Cases in U.S. Law

Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925): Declared Oregon's law mandating public school attendance unconstitutional, asserting parental rights to direct their children's education.
Everson v. Board of Education (1947): Known as the New Jersey School Bus Case, it upheld a law for public funding of transportation to both public and parochial schools, ruling it a safety measure.
Stone v. Graham (1980): Found Kentucky's law requiring the posting of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms unconstitutional, emphasizing the separation of church and state.
Wallace v. Jaffree (1985): Evaluated Alabama's law for a moment of silence in schools, determining it was intended to promote prayer, thus violating the principle of neutrality in religion.
Westside Community Schools v. Mergens (1990): Students gained the legal right to form a Christian Club at Westside High after school officials initially denied their request, reinforcing student’s rights to religious expression.
Lynch v. Donnelly (1984): Ruled that Pawtucket, Rhode Island, could include a Christian nativity scene in its holiday display along with nonreligious elements, reflecting a balance between recognition of religious heritage and non-establishment.
Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971): Established the "Lemon test" to evaluate government action related to religion, focusing on avoidance of government sponsorship, financial support, and active involvement in religious activities.
Reynolds v. U.S. (1879): A landmark case where a Mormon's practice of polygamy, supported by religious beliefs, was ruled unconstitutional under federal law prohibiting the practice in U.S. territories.
West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette (1943): Ensured the right to abstain from compulsory flag-saluting, asserting that individual free speech and religious beliefs must be respected in public schools.

Description

This quiz covers significant court cases related to education law, including Pierce v. Society of Sisters and Everson v. Board of Education. It highlights the implications of these rulings on compulsory education and public funding for private institutions. Test your knowledge on these landmark decisions and their effects on the U.S. education system.