- Desegregation and Affirmative Action
- Collective Bargaining
- Prayer and Religious Activities in Public Schools
- State Aid and the Establishment Clause
- Special Education and Rights of Disabled Persons
- Teacher Rights
- Student Rights
- Curricular Governance Issues
- Religious Freedom
- Jurisdiction of U.S. Supreme Court
Bolling v. Sharpe
In Bolling v. Sharpe (1954), African American junior high school students challenged the denial of their requests for admission to all-White schools in Washington, D.C.
Read the full storyBradley v. School Board of City of Richmond
Bradley v. School Board of City of Richmond involved two different decisions by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Read the full storyBrown v. Board of Education of Topeka
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954) is the U.S. Supreme Court’s most significant ruling on equal educational opportunities and race in American history.
Read the full storyColumbus Board of Education v. Penick
During the 1970s, officials in several boards of education in Ohio responded to allegations that they consciously engaged in racial discrimination by creating and perpetuating dual school systems.
Read the full storyCrawford v. Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles
Crawford v. Board of Education of the City of Los Angeles (1982) involved two decades of legal wrangling over the desegregation of Los Angeles schools, including several rounds through California’s state courts and a trip to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Read the full storyCooper v. Aaron
In Cooper v. Aaron (1958), the U.S. Supreme Court responded to an early skirmish in the battle over school segregation, in which nine students who desegregated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, during the 1957–1958 school year had to confront the fierce resistance of Governor Faubus and the state legislature.
Read the full storyCumming v. Board of Education of Richmond County
At issue in Cumming v. Board of Education of Richmond County (1899) was whether denying a high school education to African American students was a “clear and unmistakable disregard of rights” (p. 545) in violation of their constitutional protections under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Read the full storyDavis v. School Commissioners of Mobile County
Davis v. School Commissioners of Mobile County (1971) involved the adequacy of a desegregation plan for Mobile County, Alabama.
Read the full storyDayton Board of Education v. Brinkman, I and II
Dayton Board of Education v. Brinkman, I and II (1977, 1979) are judicially related school desegregation cases that originated in the city of Dayton, Ohio. In Dayton Board of Education v. Brinkman I (1977), minority student plaintiffs sued the Dayton school board asserting that, acting in concert with the State Board of Education of Ohio...
Read the full storyDeFunis v. Odegaard
In DeFunis v. Odegaard (1974), a law school applicant challenged the University of Washington Law School’s race-conscious admission policy, charging that his rejection constituted discrimination.
Read the full storyDowell v. Board of Education of Oklahoma City Public Schools
Dowell v. Board of Education of Oklahoma City Public Schools is the name given to a series of cases that moved back and forth through the federal courts for more than three decades as Oklahoma schools worked to achieve desegregation to the court’s satisfaction.
Read the full storyFreeman v. Pitts
In Freeman v. Pitts (1992), the U.S. Supreme Court was asked to determine whether a trial federal court had discretion to relinquish jurisdiction over portions of a school board’s constitutionally required desegregation plan before it declared that all aspects of a school district’s operations were declared “unitary” or free from discrimination.
Read the full storyGivhan v. Western Line Consolidated School District
Givhan v. Western Line Consolidated School District (1979) addressed a teacher’s right to free speech under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
Read the full storyGong Lum v. Rice
Gong Lum v. Rice (1927) stands out as the case within which the U.S. Supreme Court explicitly extended the pernicious doctrine of “separate but equal” that it introduced at the national level to public education in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896).
Read the full storyGoss v. Board of Education
At issue in Goss v. Board of Education (1963) was the constitutionality of the transfer provisions of a desegregation plan in Tennessee.
Read the full storyGoss v. Lopez
Are students entitled to due process if they are suspended from public schools for 1 to 10 days? If so, what process is due?
Read the full storyGratz v. Bollinger
In Gratz v. Bollinger (2003), White applicants who were not admitted as undergraduates to the University of Michigan filed suit claiming racial discrimination.
Read the full storyGreen v. County School Board of New Kent County
At issue in Green v. County School Board of New Kent County (1968) was whether a school board’s adoption of a “freedom of choice” plan for the purpose of desegregating a school system constituted adequate compliance with its responsibility to achieve a unitary racially nondiscriminatory school system. . .
Read the full storyGriffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward County
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1954, triggered years of continued litigation related to the issue of desegregation of public schools throughout the United States.
Read the full storyGriggs v. Duke Power Company
In Griggs v. Duke Power Company (1971), the U.S. Supreme Court first articulated how to review cases of disparate-impact discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Read the full storyGrutter v. Bollinger
In Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), the U.S. Supreme Court addressed the question of whether race could be considered in university admissions policies.
Read the full storyHazelwood School District v. United States
Hazelwood School District v. United States (1977) involved a dispute over inequitable hiring practices involving African American teachers.
Read the full storyKeyes v. School District No. 1, Denver, Colorado
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Keyes v. School District No. 1, Denver, Colorado, has had a profound and lasting effect on school desegregation litigation.
Read the full storyAbood v. Detroit Board of Education
The legal issue addressed in the 1977 Supreme Court case Abood v. Detroit Board of Education was whether agency shop clauses violate the constitutional rights of government employees...
Read the full storyChicago Teachers Union, Local No. 1 v. Hudson
Chicago Teachers Union, Local No. 1 v. Hudson (1986) was significant for school labor relations...
Read the full storyCollective Bargaining
The term collective bargaining refers to contractual negotiations between employers and groups of employees to determine specific conditions of employment.
Read the full storyDavenport v. Washington Education Association
In a unanimous 9-to-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Davenport v. Washington Education Association (2007), ruled that states do not violate the First Amendment in requiring public sector labor unions to obtain the formal permission of nonunion member employees before spending their fair-share or agency shop fees on politically related expenses, including campaigns and elections.
Read the full storyAbington Township School District v. Schempp and Murray v. Curlett
At issue in the consolidated cases of Abington Township School District v. Schempp and Murray v. Curlett (1963)...
Read the full storyBoard of Education of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens
In Board of Education of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens (1990), the U.S. Supreme Court held that, on its face, the Equal Access Act does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Read the full storyEdwards v. Aguillard
At issue in Edwards v. Aguillard (1987) was whether a Louisiana statute titled “Balanced Treatment Creation-Science and Evolution-Science in Public School Institutions Act” was unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits states from making laws respecting an establishment of religion.
Read the full storyElk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow
In Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004), the Supreme Court faced two issues.
Read the full storyEngel v. Vitale
The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Engel v. Vitale (1962), its first ever case on prayer in public schools, is popularly known as the “Regents Prayer” decision.
Read the full storyEpperson v. State of Arkansas
In Epperson v. State of Arkansas (1968), the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a state law that barred the teaching of Darwin’s theory of evolution because although the statute obviously did not coerce anyone to support religion or participate in any religious practice
Read the full storyGood News Club v. Milford Central School
In Good News Club v. Milford Central School (2001), the Supreme Court ruled that a religious group could not be denied the use of a public school’s facilities after school hours if the facilities were available to other groups promoting similar issues, namely, the moral and character development of children.
Read the full storyIllinois ex rel. McCollum v. Board of Education
At issue in Illinois ex rel. McCollum v. Board of Education (1948) was the constitutionality of released time for religious instruction in public schools.
Read the full storyLamb’s Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School District
In disputes over the question of separation of church and state, the use of school facilities by religious groups has been an issue numerous times.
Read the full storyLee v. Weisman
Prayer as a long-standing tradition in many public school graduation ceremonies came under the scrutiny of the Supreme Court in Lee v. Weisman (1992).
Read the full storyAgostini v. Felton
The Supreme Court’s 1997 judgment in Agostini v. Felton essentially reversed the decision it had made 12 years earlier in Aguilar v. Felton (1985).
Read the full storyBoard of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Grumet
Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Grumet presents a somewhat unusual controversy as far as church-state suits are concerned.
Read the full storyBoard of Education v. Allen
At issue in Board of Education of Central School District No. 1 v. Allen) (1968), often simply called Board of Education v. Allen, was the constitutionality of the loan of textbooks to students in religiously affiliated nonpublic schools.
Read the full storyCochran v. Louisiana State Board of Education
Cochran v. Louisiana State Board of Education (1930) is one of two early cases wherein the Supreme Court of the United States dealt with the rights of students in religiously affiliated nonpublic schools.
Read the full storyCommittee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Levitt
Committee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Levitt (1973, 1977, 1980) is a dispute that made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court on three separate occasions during a seven-year period.
Read the full storyCommittee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Nyquist
In Committee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Nyquist (1973), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that state legislation that provided monies for the maintenance and repair of religious facilities as well as...
Read the full storyCommittee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Regan
At issue in Committee for Public Education and Religious Liberty (PEARL) v. Regan (1980) was the constitutionality of a statute from New York that authorized the use of public funds to reimburse churchrelated and secular nonpublic schools for performing various state-mandated testing and reporting services.
Read the full storyEverson v. Board of Education of Ewing Township
In Everson v. Board of Education of Ewing Township (1947), the Supreme Court upheld a statute from New Jersey and a local school board’s authorization to reimburse parents for the expense of bus transportation to school on public transportation for students who attended religiously affiliated, nonpublic schools.
Read the full storyGrand Rapids School District v. Ball
At issue in Grand Rapids School District v. Ball (1985) was the constitutionality of two educational programs of the Grand Rapids, Michigan, School District that served the students of nonpublic schools, most of them religiously affiliated.
Read the full storyLemon v. Kurtzman
Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), or “Lemon I,” is best known for its three-part test, which the Supreme Court created to be used in evaluating whether government action violates the Establishment Clause
Read the full storyLocke v. Davey
In Locke v. Davey (2004), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of “no-funding provisions” in Washington State’s constitution, as applied to a student who attended a religiously affiliated institution of higher learning.
Read the full storyAlexander v. Choate
Alexander v. Choate (1985), even though it was not litigated in an educational context...
Read the full storyArlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy
Arlington Central School District Board of Education v. Murphy (2006) is the U.S. Supreme Court’s first opinion construing a controversial provision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Read the full storyBoard of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley
In 1982, the Supreme Court decided Board of Education of the Hendrick Hudson Central School District v. Rowley.
Read the full storyCedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F.
In Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F. (1999), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires school boards to provide full-time nursing services to students with disabilities who need them during the school day.
Read the full storyFlorence County School District Four v. Carter
Florence County School District Four v. Carter (1993) addressed the issue of the reimbursement of private tuition costs to parents who disagree with their child’s individualized education program (IEP) and unilaterally place the child in a private school.
Read the full storyHonig v. Doe
At issue in Honig v. Doe (1988), the U.S. Supreme Court’s first and only case on the topic, were the acceptable limits of disciplining students with disabilities under the (then) Education of the Handicapped Act (EHA), now the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA).
Read the full storyIrving Independent School District v. Tatro
In Irving Independent School District v. Tatro (1984), the U.S. Supreme Court addressed the question of whether the related services provision of the Education of the Handicapped Act of 1975. . .
Read the full storyAnsonia Board of Education v. Philbrook
As part of a broad federal attack on discrimination in the workplace, Congress outlawed religious discrimination in employment in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Read the full storyBeilan v. Board of Public Education
In Beilan v. Board of Public Education (1958), the U.S. Supreme Court was faced with the issue of whether a teacher’s dismissal for incompetence...
Read the full storyBishop v. Wood
Bishop v. Wood (1976) dealt with an employment dispute between a former police officer and the city for which he worked.
Read the full storyBoard of Regents v. Roth
Board of Regents v. Roth (1972) is a seminal case over the due process rights of educators in public schools who are facing termination or nonrenewal of their employment contracts.
Read the full storyBurlington Industries v. Ellerth
Burlington Industries v. Ellerth (1998) addressed sexual harassment in the workplace, with the Supreme Court establishing guidelines for employers who hope to make an affirmative defense against such complaints.
Read the full storyCannon v. University of Chicago
At issue in Cannon v. University of Chicago was whether a private right of action existed under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in a suit where a woman claimed that she was denied admission to a medical school on the basis of her sex.
Read the full storyChicago Teachers Union, Local No. 1 v. Hudson
Chicago Teachers Union, Local No. 1 v. Hudson (1986) was significant for school labor relations...
Read the full storyCleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill
In Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill (1985), the Supreme Court specified the right of educational employees to some kind of pretermination notice as part of due process that must be given as part of educational performance assessment.
Read the full storyConnick v. Myers
At issue in Connick v. Myers (1983) was whether a former assistant district attorney (ADA) who was dismissed for conducting a survey about morale in the district attorney’s office was speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern.
Read the full storyDavenport v. Washington Education Association
In a unanimous 9-to-0 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Davenport v. Washington Education Association (2007), ruled that states do not violate the First Amendment in requiring public sector labor unions to obtain the formal permission of nonunion member employees before spending their fair-share or agency shop fees on politically related expenses, including campaigns and elections.
Read the full storyFaragher v. City of Boca Raton
At issue in Faragher v. City of Boca Raton (1998) was whether a public employer could be liable for sexual harassment committed by supervisory employees.
Read the full storyHarrah Independent School District v. Martin
Many professions require their members to obtain continuing education credits as a means of staying current and up-to-date with new techniques and research within their fields.
Read the full storyHarris v. Forklift Systems
When do abusive comments in the workplace constitute sexual harassment? This was the question that the U.S. Supreme Court confronted in Harris v. Forklift Systems (1993).
Read the full storyHortonville Joint School District No. 1 v. Hortonville Education Association
In Hortonville Joint School District No. 1 v. Hortonville Education Association (1976), teachers sued their school board, alleging that it violated their due process rights when it fired them for striking in direct violation of Wisconsin state law.
Read the full storyJackson v. Birmingham Board of Education
At issue in Jackson v. Birmingham Board of Education was whether a private person—in this instance, an athletic coach who was removed from his position when he complained about sexual discrimination against a girls’ team—could file suit under Title IX
Read the full storyKeyishian v. Board of Regents
The U.S. Supreme Court considered two issues in Keyishian v. Board of Regents.
Read the full storyBaker v. Owen
Who has more authority in deciding how a child will be disciplined at school, especially when a parent’s belief in how his or her child is to be disciplined is at odds with a school’s disciplinary practices?
Read the full storyBethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser
In Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986), the Supreme Court held that school officials did not violate a high school student’s free speech and due process rights when he was disciplined for making a lewd and vulgar speech at a school assembly.
Read the full storyBoard of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls (2002)...
Read the full storyCarey v. Piphus
May school officials be sued for monetary damages if they violate a student’s right to due process?
Read the full storyDavis v. Monroe County Board of Education
Acting on the complaint of a young girl whose classmate made inappropriate sexual overtures, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education (1999) that school boards could be held liable for such harassment under certain circumstances.
Read the full storyDebra P. v. Turlington
At issue in Debra P. v. Turlington (1981) was the validity of student testing. In 1978, the Florida legislature conditioned the receipt of a high school diploma on passing a state competency examination.
Read the full storyFranklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools
Franklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools (1992) is a seminal case with regard to sexual harassment in schools that receive federal financial assistance.
Read the full storyGebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District
Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District (1998) established the legal standards under which school boards that receive federal funds can be liable for damages for teacher-to-student sexual harassment under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
Read the full storyGrove City College v. Bell
In Grove City College v. Bell (1984), the U.S. Supreme Court held that Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 applies to all private colleges whose students receive federal assistance, even if institutions do not directly receive such aid from the federal government.
Read the full storyHazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988) is the third of a trilogy of cases involving the free speech rights of students, along with Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) and Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986).
Read the full storyHobson v. Hansen
A trial court’s ruling in Hobson v. Hansen (1967) raised legal questions about ability grouping but failed to stop the practice in its tracks.
Read the full storyIngraham v. Wright
The 1977 case of Ingraham v. Wright is mostly cited for its ruling on the applicability of the Eighth Amendment’s Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause to corporal punishment in public schools.
Read the full storyIn re Gault
At issue in In re Gault (1967) was the constitutionality of juvenile court proceedings.
Read the full storyBoard of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico
In Board of Education, Island Trees Union Free School District No. 26 v. Pico (1982)...
Read the full storyJacobson v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Jacobson v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts (1905) is a classic case dealing with the public health and welfare, as one citizen unsuccessfully protested government-required vaccinations.
Read the full storyKadrmas v. Dickinson Public Schools
At issue in Kadrmas v. Dickinson Public Schools (1988), the U.S. Supreme Court’s only case on the topic, was whether educational officials violated a student’s right to a public school education because her mother could not afford the transportation fee
Read the full storyLau v. Nichols
At issue before the U.S. Supreme Court in Lau v. Nichols was whether a school system is required to provide a program to address the language problems of non-English-speaking students.
Read the full storyCantwell v. Connecticut
Cantwell v. Connecticut (1940) was a U.S. Supreme Court case involving door-to-door religious solicitations.
Read the full storyCity of Boerne v. Flores
At issue in City of Boerne v. Flores (1997) was the constitutionality of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which was passed by Congress in 1993.
Read the full storyCorporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. Amos
In Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints v. Amos (1987), former employees of unincorporated divisions of the Church of the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) who refused or were ineligible to become members of the church challenged their being dismissed from their jobs.
Read the full storyEmployment Division, Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith
In Employment Division Department of Human Resources of Oregon v. Smith (1990), the Supreme Court ruled that their religious beliefs do not necessarily exempt people from compliance with neutral, generally applicable laws.
Read the full story- Concepts, Theories, and Legal Principles
- Technology
- Constitutional Rights and Issues
- Organizations and Institutions
- Desegregation and Affirmative Action
- Statutes and Treaties
- Student Rights and Welfare
- Curricular and Instructional Issues
- Litigation
- Collective Bargaining
- Prayer and Religious Activities in Public Schools
- Teacher Rights
- Collective Bargaining
- State Aid and the Establishment Clause
- Special Education and Rights of Disabled Persons
- Biographies
- Teacher Rights
- Student Rights
- Special Education and Rights of Disabled Persons
- Curricular Governance Issues
- Educational Equity
- Religious Freedom
- Governance Issues
- Parental Rights
- Religion in Public Schools
- Jurisdiction of U.S. Supreme Court
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