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Youth

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Free Speech and Student Discipline

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case on whether schools can regulate students' off-campus behavior and speech, specifically a Snapchat post that included obscenities by a Pennsylvania high school student. The case has been escalated to the Supreme Court after a lower court ruling in favor of the student, who was disciplined for the post. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is supporting the student, arguing that schools do not have the right to regulate off-campus behavior and speech, while the school district is concerned about the potential for increased bullying and racism.

Key Takeaways:

  • The case involves a 18-year-old high school student, Brandi Levy, who posted a Snapchat with obscenities while off campus and was suspended from cheerleading for a year.
  • The Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case, with the ACLU supporting Levy, arguing that schools do not have the right to regulate students' off-campus behavior and speech.
  • The Mahonoy Area School District argues that a lack of regulation of off-campus behavior could lead to increased bullying and racism.
  • A lower Pennsylvania court ruled in favor of Levy, but the school district appealed the ruling.
  • The Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of June.
  • The case is being seen as a litmus test for free speech across the United States.
  • The Supreme Court previously ruled in 1969 that schools may punish student speech that could "substantially disrupt" the school community.

Statistics:

  • 18: The age of Brandi Levy, the high school student at the center of the case.
  • 24: The number of hours that a Snapchat post remains visible before it disappears.
  • 1969: The year the Supreme Court ruled that schools may punish student speech that could "substantially disrupt" the school community.
  • June: The expected month the Supreme Court will rule on the case.

Sources:

  • Voice of America (VOA)
  • American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
  • Reuters
  • Supreme Court of the United States

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