CompuLegal

Source:http://schema-root.org

INTRODUCTION

Life as a high school student is so difficult. Not only do you have to go to class everyday and complete tons of homework, but also you are required to complete 250 hours of community service just to graduate. On top of that, you aren’t even allowed to bring cell phones to school and sometimes your favorite T-shirt is considered too controversial to wear! That seems so unfair! How come it seems like you lose all your rights the minute you walk through the school house door?

In this WebQuest, you will explore some court cases related to your rights as a student and a citizen of the United States.

TASK

Using the CompuLegal website, you will explore several court cases brought by students arguing for their Constitutional rights. For each case you will write one paragraph explaining whether you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision and why.

Then, using the sources listed in part 4 below, you will research and read about the controversy surrounding the cell phone policy of New York City Public Schools. You will write a 2-page paper discussing the facts of the case, the Constitutional issues at stake, and what your position is and why.

Your work should be typed (double-spaced in 12-pt font with 1” margins).

PROCESS

Step 1: Using CompuLegal read and analyze the following court cases:

· Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) (Freedom of Speech)

· Bethel v. Fraser (1986) (Freedom of Speech)

· Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) (Freedom of the Press)

· New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985) (Search and Seizure)

· Steirer v. Bethlehem (1993) (Involuntary Servitude)

Step 2: Identify the arguments made by both sides and what Constitutional issues are at stake for each.

Step 3: For each case, write one-paragraph explaining whether you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision and why. Use the facts of the case and the legal precedents to support your arguments.

Step 4: Using the resources listed below in section 4, read about the controversy surrounding the cell phone policy of the New York City Public Schools. Take notes on the arguments made by both sides of the debate.

Step 4: Write a two-page paper that includes the following sections:

· Background (What is the policy? What is the controversy about?)

· Pros & Anti (Explain both sides of the debate. What does each side argue and why?)

· Constitutional Issues at Stake (Which Constitutional rights are at issue in this debate?)

· Legal Precedents (Do any of the cases that you read about above support or contradict the arguments being made? How so?)

· Opinion (Which side do you support and why? Be sure to support your argument with relevant facts and legal references.)

· Sources (Cite any sources that you use in your paper.)

SOURCES

Constitution of the United States

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html

Glossary of Legal Terms

http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/scales/glossary.html

“Cell Phone Policy for New York City Public Schools”

http://schools.nyc.gov/doefacts/factfinder/ServiceDetails.aspx?id=115

“Statement of Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum for City Council Hearing on Department of Education Cell Phone Policy,” June 14, 2006.

http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov/news/CellPhonePolicy.html

Herszenhorn, David M., “Mayor Repeats Policy: No Cellphones in School,” The New York Times, May 6, 2006.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/06/nyregion/06klein.html?ex=1304568000&en=a0689317fe57f76d&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

Apsel, Deborah and Witenko, Vanessa, “Cell Phone Ban; Special Ed in Middle Schools,” Gotham Gazette, April 2005.

http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/education/20050413/6/1383

“School Cell Phone Ban Causes Uproar: NYC Moms And Dads Say They Need Way To Reach Kids In Emergencies,” CBS News (online), May 12, 2006.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/05/12/national/main1616330.shtml

EVALUATION

Students will be graded based on the following rubric:

Grade

Case Analysis

Writes paragraph for each case as required.

Supports arguments using facts from the cases and legal precedents.

Writes paragraph for each case, as required.

Arguments are incomplete or only partially supported.

Does not write about each case as required.

Arguments are incomplete and unsupported.

Completes three or fewer cases.

Arguments are incomplete and unsupported.

Work incomplete.

Paper on Cell Phone Policy

Completes each section of the paper as required.

Clearly analyzes both sides of the issue, identifies Constitutional issues and legal precedents.

Supports opinion with facts and legal precedents.

Contains few, if any, errors.

Cites sources.

Completes each section of the paper as required.

Both sides of issue are outlined, but with little analysis.

Opinion is partially supported with facts and legal precedents.

Contains some errors.

Cites sources.

Sections of paper are missing or incomplete.

Incomplete analysis of both sides of the issue.

Opinion is incomplete and unsupported.

Contains several errors.

Sources are incomplete.

Several sections missing or incomplete.

Analysis is missing or only one side is presented.

Opinion is missing or unsupported.

Contains numerous errors.

Sources are missing.

Substandard, incomplete work.

Fails to follow requirements.

CONCLUSION

Having completed this WebQuest, you should have a better understanding of how the U.S. Constitution protects your rights. However, you will also notice that the law is open to interpretation and that sometimes you may not agree with the decisions reached by the Supreme Court. Hopefully, this exercise will compel you to explore other court cases involving individual rights and liberties.

Standards:

This Web Quest meets the standards for

English Language Arts,

Standard # 4

Standard # 1 & 3

Social Studies Standard

1: History of the United States and New York

5: Civics, Citizenship and Government.