Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier 1988 By Shannon Bess
Hazelwood East High School The Spectrum Newspaper written & edited by students Principal Robert E. Reynolds Ordered two “inappropriate” articles to be withheld from publication Cathy Kuhlmeier and two other students brought the case to court
Freedom of Press Did the principal's removal of the articles violate the students' rights under the 1st Amendment? NO
5 votes in favor of Hazelwood School District Supreme Court’s Ruling 5 votes in favor of Hazelwood School District 3 votes against Justices for the Court: Anthony M. Kennedy, Sandra Day O'Connor, William H. Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, John Paul Stevens, Byron R. White Justices Dissenting: Harry A. Blackmun, William J. Brennan, Jr., Thurgood Marshall Decided by Rehnquist court Majority opinion written by Byron White
Implications of the Ruling 1st Amendment does not require schools to promote speech that is “inconsistent with ‘the shared values of a civilized social order.’” If something does not reflect the school’s standards or values and brings up legitimate concerns Educators have the right to exercise editorial control over student speech