She Still Has A Strong Constitution

Mary Beth Tinker, namesake of the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines School District free speech case turns in (with a colleague) an interesting Ed Week commentary piece. Courtesy of Senator Robert Byrd schools now must formally observe Constitution Day (it’s a week from tomorrow) in some regard. Though well intentioned the provision may open a can of worms about what other things schools can be told to teach from Washington by legislative fiat.

In any event, Tinker says teach about free speech. Good idea, she’s got a good story that has contemporary resonance today and cases like Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier tend to interest kids and high schoolers love Bethel School Dist. No. 403 v. Fraser…the latter shows that Conn. Law doesn’t have to be boring or bland…