Question

WHEN YOU ANSWER PLEASE PUT AT LEAST 2 SENTANCES AND NUMBER THE QUESTIONS!!!

Case A Decision Template
You have chosen to complete the Case A Decision Template. Note—You only have to complete and submit either Case A or Case B for grading.

Your Name: _________________

Read the case below closely. As you read this case, imagine you are a Supreme Court justice analyzing the case.

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.
1. What is this case about?

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

3. 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.

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

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

6. 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:

7. 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

1. This case is about whether or not the students at Hazelwood Middle School were allowed to perform a play that they had been working on for months. The question is whether or not their free speech rights were violated when their school decided to cancel the show.

2. The case of Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier is similar because it was also about whether or not a public school could censor a play that was being performed by students. In this case, however, the student's freedom of expression has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, which means that they did not violate their rights when they were censored from performing their plays.

3. Freedom of expression is one of the main reasons why we have an amendment in our Constitution that protects us from being censored by anyone—whether it be our government or private companies—which means that these students' First Amendment rights were protected when they were censored from performing their play at school.

7. I think that the school should be allowed to censor the material of a school play or school newspaper because I do not believe in censorship. The First Amendment is a part of our Constitution, and it protects all forms of speech—including speech about sex, religion, politics and other topics that are deemed potentially controversial.

On the other hand, I don't think that the school should censor any material that might make some students uncomfortable. If a student is uncomfortable with something they read in their school newspaper or see on stage during a play, then they should be able to opt out of reading or seeing those things. This would allow them to remain focused on what they need to learn in order to succeed at their studies.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Step 1:

1. This case is about a middle school drama class that had their spring play canceled by the school board one week before the performance, due to a parent's complaint that the play was inappropriate for middle school students. The students and their parents believe that the cancellation violated their First Amendment right to freedom of expression.

2. This case is similar to the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case because both involve the rights of students to express themselves in a school setting. In the Hazelwood case, the school censored articles in the school newspaper, while in this case, the school canceled a play.

3. The type of expression listed in the First Amendment that relates to this case is freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

Step 2:

4. The school board believed they had the right to cancel the play because they felt it was inappropriate for middle school students, and they have the responsibility to make decisions about what is presented in school by teachers or students.

5. The students believed they had the right to perform the play because they believe in their First Amendment right to freedom of expression and feel that the cancellation violated that right. They also felt that the cancellation was unfair because they had worked hard to prepare for the performance.

6. As a judge, I would rule that the students should not be allowed to perform their school play. While I understand the students' frustration and disappointment, I believe that the school board had a legitimate reason for canceling the play, and their decision should be respected. My reasons for this decision are:

Reason #1: The school board has the responsibility to make decisions about what is presented in school by teachers or students. In this case, they felt that the play was inappropriate for middle school students, and as such, they made the decision to cancel it. The school board has the authority to make these types of decisions, and it should be respected.

Reason #2: The school has a duty to ensure that the material presented in school is age-appropriate and in line with community standards. In this case, the school board felt that the play did not meet these criteria, and as such, they canceled it. The school has a responsibility to ensure that all students feel safe and comfortable in the school environment.

Reason #3: The decision in the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case supports the school board's decision to cancel the play. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that schools have the authority to censor school-sponsored publications if the material is inconsistent with the school's educational mission. While this case involves a play rather than a publication, the same principles apply. If the school board felt that the play was inconsistent with the school's educational mission or community standards, then they had the authority to cancel it.

7: I believe that schools should be allowed to censor the material of a school play or school newspaper under certain circumstances. While students have a right to freedom of expression, schools also have a responsibility to ensure that the material presented in school is age-appropriate and in line with community standards. If a school-sponsored publication or play is inconsistent with these standards, then the school should have the authority to censor the material. However, any censorship should be done in a reasonable and non-discriminatory manner, and the school should be prepared to justify its decision if challenged.