Gavel to Gavel:Student Perspectives on Supreme Court Landmarks

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette

West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943) ruled that students cannot be forced to salute the flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. The Supreme Court held that compelled patriotic speech violates the First Amendment.

Engel v. Vitale

Engel v. Vitale (1962) ruled that school-sponsored prayer in public schools violates the Establishment Clause. The Supreme Court held that even voluntary, nondenominational prayer is unconstitutional in a government-funded setting.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) ruled that Amish families could not be forced to send their children to school past eighth grade. The Supreme Court held that compulsory education laws violated their First Amendment right to religious freedom.

Ingraham v. Wright

Ingraham v. Wright (1977) upheld the use of corporal punishment in public schools, ruling it does not violate the Eighth Amendment. The Supreme Court found that school discipline is a local matter, leaving regulation to states and school districts.

Island Trees School District v. Pico

Island Trees School District v. Pico (1982) ruled that schools cannot remove books from libraries simply because they dislike their content. The Supreme Court held that doing so violates students’ First Amendment rights.