Does the Equal Protection Clause forbid school districts from using a race-conscious student assignment plan to promote racial integration? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2007.
PGA Tour v. Martin (2001)
Does the Americans with Disabilities Act apply to participants in athletic competitions held in places of public accommodation? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2001.
Pottawatomie v. Earls (2002)
Is a school system’s random suspicionless drug-testing of students involved in extracurricular activities in violation of the Fourth Amendment? This Supreme Court case summery answers some questions about students’ rights in a high school setting.
Randall v. Sorrell (2006)
Do Vermont’s limits on campaign contributions and spending violate the First Amendment? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2006.
Rasul v. Bush (2004)
Do U.S. courts have jurisdiction to consider legal appeals filed on behalf of foreign citizens held at Guantanamo? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2004.
Ricci v. DeStefano (2009)
Can an employer reject the results of an employment test because one racial group scored substantially higher than others? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered this question in 2009.
The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments
In this lesson, students will examine a copy of twelve possible amendments to the United States Constitution as originally sent to the states for their ratification in September of 1789. Students will debate and vote on which of these amendments they would ratify and compare their resulting “Bill of Rights” to the ten amendments ratified by ten states that have since been known by this name.
The First Amendment: What’s Fair in a Free Country?
Young people have a profound sense of the importance of fairness. “It’s not fair” is often used as a one-size-fits-all argument when a child feels victimized. In situations where the child has an interest in protecting his or her actions, “It’s a free country!” is often the argument of choice. On the other hand, children are very sensitive about speech and policies they consider to have a negative effect on their well-being.
Balancing rights and responsibilities is difficult, even for the Supreme Court. This lesson demonstrates to students that doctrine of freedom of speech and its proper application is an ongoing process.
Roper v. Simmons (2005), High School
Does the Eighth Amendment prohibit the execution of juveniles who commit capital crimes prior to turning 18 years of age? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2005.
Roper v. Simmons (2005), Middle School
Does the Eighth Amendment prohibit the execution of juveniles who commit capital crimes prior to turning 18 years of age? This case summary shows how the Supreme Court answered that question in 2005.