Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What happened in 1988 at Hazelwood East High School?

Students enrolled in the Journalism II class were responsible for writing and editing the school's paper. (correct)

The principal approved all articles without any review.

Students were allowed to publish any articles.

Students were not allowed to write articles.

What did the principal do regarding the articles on divorce and teenage pregnancy?

He prohibited these articles from being published.

What action did the student journalists take?

They brought suit alleging that their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech had been violated.

What was the ruling of the Supreme Court in this case?

The Court held that the principal's actions did not violate the students' free speech rights. Signup and view all the answers

What was the justification provided by the Court for the principal's action?

The paper was not a public forum and was subject to appropriate editing by the school. Signup and view all the answers

In the Hazelwood School District, the principal said an article on teen pregnancy was ______.

inappropriate Signup and view all the answers

What did the principal believe about removing inappropriate material?

It was a good enough reason to merit removal of the article. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier Overview

Case took place in 1988 involving students from Hazelwood East High School in Missouri.
The students were part of a Journalism II class responsible for producing the school newspaper, The Spectrum.

Articles in Question

Two articles slated for publication discussed sensitive topics: divorce and teenage pregnancy.
Although names were changed, both stories involved students from the school.

Principal's Action

The school principal prohibited the publication of the two articles, deeming them inappropriate for younger students.

Students' Response

The student journalists filed a lawsuit, claiming their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech were violated by the principal's actions.

Supreme Court Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the principal's actions did not infringe upon the students' free speech rights.
The Court acknowledged that the school had a legitimate interest in regulating school-sponsored publications to prevent the dissemination of inappropriate content.
It determined that The Spectrum was not a public forum; instead, it served as a limited forum for student journalism, subject to school oversight.

Key Takeaway

The case clarified that as long as there are legitimate reasons, school officials can exercise control over school-sponsored publications to maintain appropriateness for students.

Description

Test your knowledge on the landmark case of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. These flashcards cover key events and decisions made in 1988 regarding student journalism at Hazelwood East High School. Perfect for students and educators wanting to delve into this important legal case.