HAZELWOOD V. KUHLMEIER

Lesson Plans

• 5.1.12.C Evaluate the application of the principles and ideas in contemporary civil life
• Liberty/Freedom, Democracy, Justice, Equality
• 5.1.12.E Analyze and assess the rights or the purpose as written in the PA constitution and the United States Comstitution
• 5.1.12.D Evaluate state and federal powers based based on significant documents and other critical source
• United States Constitution and Bill of Rights

The Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case deals with what was published in the Hazelwood high school newspaper and how these articles affected the girl's first amendment right. The principal had gotten the newspapers proofs and found that the articles dealt with pregnancy and divorce. The principal then said that the articles were in violation to the schools privacy because it used other students names as examples. Catherine Kuhlmeier who had written these articles filled out a case saying that the fist amendment had been take away. When the Supreme Court found out about this case they ruled in favor of the school district. The court then said that schools can limit what students say but they cannot completely demolish the students first amendment.

The case was about a student that wrote inappropriate articles about pregnancy and divorce in a schools newspaper and the principal proof read and did not publish it so the student filed a case because she said he first amendment was taken away from her.

The students appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th circuit, that reserved the ruling and then stated the students rights had been taken then the school appealed to the Supreme Court which grated certiorari.

The Supreme Court handed down 5-3 decision in favor of the school. The court said schools do not have to allow student speech if it deems inappropriate or if it goes off topic with the educational mission. But schools cannot stop the freedom of speech out side of school they can only, limit freedom of speech inside of school.

It became a landmark case because it helped other schools regulate what can and can't go on in a school newspaper and what can.

It tells citizens what you are aloud to write in school newspapers. And that your first amendment rights are limited in schools. But you're aloud to write how you feel as long as it is appropriate.

http://www.c-span.org/video/?c39208/clip-supreme-court-review