Which case limited student speech and allowed schools to prohibit messages endorsing illegal drug use?

Which case limited student speech and allowed schools to prohibit messages endorsing illegal drug use?

• A. Tinker v. Des Moines
• B. Morse v. Frederick
• C. Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
• D. Bethel School District v. Fraser

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that schools can limit student speech at school-sponsored events when it promotes illegal activity or otherwise conflicts with the school’s mission to maintain a safe, orderly environment. In Morse v. Frederick, a student held up a banner saying “BONG HITS 4 JESUS” during a school-supervised event, and the principal confiscated the banner and disciplined the student. The Supreme Court held that the First Amendment does not require schools to tolerate student speech that facilitates or endorses illegal drug use at a school event, recognizing the school’s vested interest in deterring drug use and conveying anti-drug messages. This fits the scenario because it directly addresses prohibiting messages endorsing illegal drug use in a school setting. Other cases set different boundaries: Tinker protects student expression unless it causes substantial disruption; Hazelwood allows schools to censor school-sponsored publications for legitimate educational reasons; Bethel permits sanctions for lewd or vulgar student speech at school events. Morse is the one that specifically authorizes restricting messages that promote illegal activities at a school function.

The key idea is that schools can limit student speech at school-sponsored events when it promotes illegal activity or otherwise conflicts with the school’s mission to maintain a safe, orderly environment. In Morse v. Frederick, a student held up a banner saying “BONG HITS 4 JESUS” during a school-supervised event, and the principal confiscated the banner and disciplined the student. The Supreme Court held that the First Amendment does not require schools to tolerate student speech that facilitates or endorses illegal drug use at a school event, recognizing the school’s vested interest in deterring drug use and conveying anti-drug messages.

This fits the scenario because it directly addresses prohibiting messages endorsing illegal drug use in a school setting. Other cases set different boundaries: Tinker protects student expression unless it causes substantial disruption; Hazelwood allows schools to censor school-sponsored publications for legitimate educational reasons; Bethel permits sanctions for lewd or vulgar student speech at school events. Morse is the one that specifically authorizes restricting messages that promote illegal activities at a school function.