Civic Literacy Exam cases

What was the key outcome of Brown v. Board of Education?

Separate but equal educational facilities are inherently unequal and violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

What did the Supreme Court rule in Tinker v. Des Moines?

Students and teachers do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech at the schoolhouse gate.

What was the ruling in Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier?

The First Amendment does not require schools to promote particular types of student speech.

What did Engel v. Vitale declare unconstitutional?

It is unconstitutional for state officials to compose an official school prayer and encourage its recitation in public schools.

What was decided in Morse v. Frederick regarding student speech?

Students have a right to political speech, but not to pro-drug messages that undermine the school's mission.

What did the Court decide in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke?

Bakke was granted admission because the admission policy violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause.

What was the ruling in Grutter v. Bollinger about the use of race in admissions?

The Equal Protection Clause does not prohibit the University of Michigan's Law School from using race in admissions decisions.

What was the significance of Texas v. Johnson?

Burning the American flag is protected by the First Amendment as symbolic speech.

What was the Court's finding in Korematsu v. United States?

The evacuation order was valid and did not violate the 5th Amendment; it responded to a strategic imperative for national security.

What did Loving v. Virginia achieve?

Struck down state laws banning interracial marriages as violations of the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the 14th Amendment.

What did Mapp v. Ohio determine regarding the Fourth Amendment?

The Fourth Amendment's protections against illegal search and seizures apply to state courts.

What did the Supreme Court rule in Miranda v. Arizona?

The 5th Amendment requires suspects be advised of their right to remain silent and obtain an attorney before interrogation.

What was ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright about the right to counsel?

The 6th Amendment’s guarantee of right to counsel applies to criminal defendants in state court by way of the 14th Amendment.

What was the significance of Plessy v. Ferguson?

Upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation laws requiring 'separate but equal' facilities.