Speech and Student Rights Quiz

Speech that Interferes with Another Student's Rights

• Student speech can be restricted if it is likely to violate or infringe on someone else's rights.
• This principle was established in the landmark case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), where students wore black armbands to protest the Vietnam War.
• The Supreme Court ruled that students retain their First Amendment rights at school, but schools can intervene to protect the rights of others.

Speech that Causes Substantial Disruption

• Schools can limit speech that could lead to substantial disruption in the school environment.
• The Tinker case also established this principle, allowing schools to restrict speech posing a real threat of disruption.

Lewd Speech

• Schools can prohibit speech deemed inappropriate, obscene, or offensive.
• This limit was established in Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986), where a student delivered a sexually suggestive speech at a school assembly.
• The Supreme Court ruled that schools can restrict lewd speech to maintain an appropriate educational environment.

School Sponsored Speech

• Schools can regulate school-sponsored activities and publications to ensure they align with educational goals and values.
• This was established in Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), where students wrote articles for the school newspaper that the principal decided to censor.
• The Supreme Court ruled that schools have control over school-sponsored speech to uphold educational standards.

Pro-Drug Speech

• Schools can restrict messages that promote illegal drug use.
• This limit was established in Morse v. Frederick (2007), where a student displayed a banner promoting drug use during a school event.
• The Supreme Court upheld schools' authority to prohibit speech advocating illegal drug use, even if it occurs off-campus.