Question

Case A

The drama class at a middle school was preparing for their spring play in the school auditorium. One week before the performance, a parent complained to the school board that the play was inappropriate for middle school students. The school board agreed and contacted the principal, who then informed the classes that the show was canceled. Students were upset that their preparations were a waste. They believe they have the right to freedom of expression in performing the play. The school board said that students are minors and that it must approve decisions about what is presented in school by teachers or students. The students did not have time to plan a different show. A group of the students’ parents brought the case to court on their behalf, but they lost the case in state district court. The students’ parents appealed the district court’s decision to their state court of appeals. There the students and their parents won the case, but the school board appealed the decision to their state-level supreme court. The state supreme court ruled in favor of the school board. Unhappy with the state supreme court’s decision, the students’ parents are now appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Step 1: Answer the following questions in complete sentences.
What is this case about?


How is this case similar to the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case?


Which type of expression listed in the First Amendment relates to this case?


Step 2: Make your Decision
Now it’s time to pretend you are a judge! Explain, like a judge, your thoughts on the case and why you feel this way. For each question you should explain your answer in at least two to three complete sentences.
Why did the school board believe they had the right to cancel the play?


Why did the students believe they had the right to perform the play?


Should the students be allowed to perform their school play? Why or why not? Give three reasons to support your decision. At least one of your reasons should be based on what you learned about the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case.



Reason #1:


Reason #2:


Reason #3:


Do you think the school should be allowed to censor the material of a school play or school newspaper? Why or why not? Be sure to use what you know about the First Amendment to support your answer.

Answer 1

I got a 100% on this btw

Step-by-step explanation:

What is this case about?

A play was canceled by the school board because it was deemed inappropriate. Parents and kids do not believe that, so they are taking it to court and appealing it.

How is this case similar to the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case?

The case is similar because both parties took something away/out because it was not appropriate. In Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier the newspaper had 2 articles that did not protect student’s identities enough. And in Case A the play was inappropriate.

Which type of expression listed in the First Amendment relates to this case?

Freedom of speech is the expression listed in the First Amendment that relates to this case. It relates because they want to perform a play which is speech so, freedom of speech

Why did the school board believe they had the right to cancel the play?

The school board believed they had the right to cancel the play because it was inappropriate. This reflects onto the head of the school board.

Why did the students believe they had the right to perform the play?

The students believed they had to right to perform the play because of freedom of speech. They believed that they worked hard on it and the school board cannot just take it away.

Reason #1: It reflects onto the school board. If it is inappropriate, then it shows that the school board lets stuff like that happen.

Reason #2: Students have freedom of speech within reasonableness. For example, they can wear armbands like in Tinker v. Des Moines but cannot do a play about inappropriate topics.

Reason #3: Students should not be allowed to say or print inappropriate things or things that do not protect students. In Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier students wanted to print something in a newspaper but the newspaper had articles that did not protect some students and gave away their identities.

Do you think the school should be allowed to censor the material of a school play or school newspaper? Why or why not? Be sure to use what you know about the First Amendment to support your answer.

I think school should be allowed to censor material of a play or school newspaper. I believe this because we are entitled to our first amendment rights but not if it violates other peoples rights.