Court Cases Flashcards Ch. 19 Sec. 2

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.