You Be The Judge
Test your knowledge of the Five Freedoms and see how you match up to the courts...and fellow citizens.
Educator Freedom
A high school English and journalism teacher failed to censor her students' creative writing assignments even though some of her students used profanity in their work. After a complaint, the school principal terminated the teacher for violating the school's "no-profanity" rule, which had traditionally not been applied to classroom exercises. The teacher sued, alleging a violation of her First Amendment rights. A jury sided with the teacher. The school district appealed.
Can a public school fire a teacher for violating its no-profanity rule?
Vote Now!
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Vote AA. YESTeachers are public employees; as such, they have no First Amendment rights while on the job.
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Vote BB. YESIf officials have evidence that a teacher has knowingly allowed her students to violate a school-wide rule, they can fire her and not run afoul of the First Amendment.
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Vote CC. NOAlthough the First Amendment rights of teachers are not absolute, they do protect the freedom of teachers to decide how best to educate their students.


